Riviera Travel cancelled 10 scheduled European river cruises and modified six other itineraries navigating the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, and Main rivers, the company announced on 12 August 2026. The cancellations were implemented when no viable alternative itinerary could be operated.
Low Water Levels Disrupt Navigation on European Rivers
The cancellations and itinerary changes are caused by exceptionally low water levels, attributed to weeks of high temperatures and limited rainfall across parts of Europe in 2026. These conditions have worsened on important commercial stretches, including the Kaub section on the Rhine River in Germany, a critical navigation point.
Riviera Travel responded by forming a dedicated incident team to coordinate
the disruption management. Additional cruise directors and head-office staff were assigned to ships, call-centre capacity was expanded, and communication levels with travel agent partners were increased. The company publishes daily operational updates via its travel updates hub.
Passenger Options and Company Policies on Cancellations
Passengers booked on affected European river cruises receive updates approximately 14 days, 7 days, and 72 hours before departure. Riviera Travel’s assurance policy allows for alternatives such as coach transfers, itinerary changes, or ship changes. When no comparable alternatives exist, passengers may cancel with a full refund.
For the current disruptions, passengers can switch to another Riviera holiday in 2026 or 2027, opt
for an alternative river cruise on the Douro, Seine, or Rhône rivers, or select European and worldwide escorted tours. Those choosing alternatives costing less will be refunded the price difference. For pricier replacements, Riviera contributes GBP 250 per person toward the extra cost.
Passengers who take refunds are granted a 15% Welcome Home Offer, valid for six months on future European river cruises in 2026 or 2027. For cruises already underway with mid-voyage changes, compensation or goodwill arrangements will be assessed individually after sailing completion.
Broader Impact on European River Navigation and Shipping
The low water levels affecting Riviera Travel’s cruises reflect a wider disruption to Europe’s river
cruise network. Commercial shipping on the Rhine also faces significant restrictions due to the extremely low water, notably at the Kaub section in Germany.
Riviera Travel’s Response and Passenger Feedback
Riviera Travel continues to manage communication and operational challenges with increased resources and daily updates. Post-cruise surveys for July 2026 Rhine and Danube departures recorded an average trust score of 8.6 out of 10 and a positive sentiment near 88%, reflecting passenger confidence in the operator’s response to the disruption.
