If you were in Europe this summer, you saw it firsthand. There’s not much water in some of those rivers. If you’ve got a river cruise planned in Europe, you’re wondering what to do next. Here are some thoughts:
WHY is Low Water Happening on Europe River Cruises?
- The situation was caused by an unusual winter with very little snowpack in the Alps, followed by a dry spring. European river cruise low water levels are controlled by locks and reservoirs, but when the shortage of water is this acute, they can’t do much.
- River boats have shallow drafts, and can operate in shallow water, but there are limits.
- The Rhine River and Danube River had the most river cruise disruptions due to low water this summer. Those two rivers are also the most frequented by river cruisers.
- River Cruises in France, Spain and Portugal were not impacted to any significant degree.
- This year had historic low water. 2022 was the last year for river cruise disruptions.
Low Water River Cruising: HOW Itineraries Are Affected
- When rivers become too shallow the ships can’t pass, so contingencies are put in place.
- Some embarkation and disembarkation ports were adjusted. Others visited certain ports of call by motorcoach. In some cases, ship swaps were required.
- In extreme cases, people were booked into hotels, or their trips cancelled outright.
WHAT OPTIONS did Booked Guests Have on Low Water River Cruises?
- The logistics of contingency plans is really impressive. However, it means you’ll be experiencing something different than was in the brochure.
- There has been some variation in guest options depending on the cruise line, and the degree to which the itinerary had to be adjusted.
- Some guests were offered a good will gesture of a future cruise credit if their itinerary was significantly adjusted. The river cruise lines were very clear that it is NOT compensation (they don’t control the weather), but rather an incentive to travel again.
- Some were able to cancel outright for a future credit, or in some cases a full refund.
What Should Guests Scheduled Soon or for 2027 Do if they’re concerned about Low Water?
- The situation is ever-changing, and as such contingency plans are usually put in place 7 – 10 days prior to departure. So you won’t hear anything until close to game day.
- If you’re travelling in 2027, then statistically the odds are for NO itinerary adjustments.
- If you’re really worried about 2027, avoid late summer and early autumn (although most years these cruises operate just fine).
- Buy Cancel-For-Any-Reason insurance. You WON’T get a refund, but it will offer a future cruise credit if you decide the modifications are too significant.
Rivers are living, changing waterways, and there’s no doubt that Mother Nature is always in charge. A river is still one of the best ways to explore Europe, and summer is a reminder that we work around nature – not the opposite.
The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about what river cruise travelers need to know about low water levels in Europe, especially on the Rhine and Danube rivers.
In Case You Missed It:
HX EXPEDITIONS will take you to the remote corners of the world. “Expedition” is a poor description of these cruises – they are for curious souls that want to go where others don’t.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/hx-remote-cruises-for-curious-souls/
MEKONG RIVER in Vietnam and Cambodia is often described by our clients as a life-changing trip. Here’s more information.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/vietnam-cambodia-destination-focus/
TRAVEL HACKS: You approach vacation a bit differently when you’re in the travel biz. Here are some of the “hacks” we use to get the most from our vacations:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-we-travel-on-vacation/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
The GALAPAGOS ISLANDS should be on everyone’s bucket list. When you go, you’ll experience plants and animals on land AND in the sea. Here’s what it looks like beneath the water:
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX
You DON’T have to be an elite athlete to do an EXPEDITION CRUISE. You DO need to be curious about more remote places on the planet. If you love scenery and nature, both these destinations should be on your bucket list:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and Quito for 9-days
- 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights. Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
- 2026: September through December from $6787
- 2027: Year-round departures from $7358
- See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ
ANTARCTICA round-trip from Buenos Aires for 12-days, with 5-days of scheduled landings
- Includes flights to/from Ushuaia (from BA) to board the ship.
- Start with an included flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and embark your hybrid electric-powered expedition ship. Cross the Drake Passage and enjoy 5 days of scheduled landings in Antarctica before returning to Ushuaia followed by a flight back to Buenos Aires.
- Departures October 2026 through March 2027 from $10,024
LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE
You can do it on your own, but it will be easier, and quite possibly more cost-effective if you use COLLETTE for your next land vacation OR for pre/post cruise. Here are the trips our clients ask for most frequently with COLLETTE:
HAWAII: Visit 3 different islands over 10-days:
- Start in Oahu and visit the city of Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor Waikiki. Then move onto the Big Island for Volcanoes NP, Honaunau Bay, and Kona. Then finish in Kahului on Maui.
- Includes 14 meals, a luau, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, and Volcanoes NP admissions.
- Departures year-round from $5399
- Pre-trip extension in Honolulu, and/or post-trip extension in Maui available.
AFRICAN SAFARI: Kenya & Tanzania for 15-days round-trip Nairobi
- See Mt. Kilmanjaro, 12-game drives to spot the Big 5, see the Farmhouse from Out of Africa, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti NP.
- 2027: Departures weekly from $7999
SILVERSEA Classic Luxury
If you like butlers, fine dining and the classic luxury touches, here’s some ideas from Silversea:
CANADA & NEW ENGLAND: Montreal to New Jersey departing September 13th, 2027 for 11 days.
- Start in Montreal and visit Quebec City, Charlottetown, Halifax, Portland, Boston, Cape Cod Canal Transit, Newport, and finish in New Jersey.
- Fares from $6050.
ENGLAND, SCOTLAND & IRELAND: Southampton round-trip departing July 9, 2027 for 12-days
- Start in Southampton and visit Portsmouth, St Peter Port, Falmouth, Fishguard, Liverpool, Greencastle, Dundee, and Dover (London).
- Fares from $9300
Here’s our latest ship tour video of Silversea’s SILVER NOVA:
RIVER CRUISES with AMA WATERWAYS
If you’re looking to travel in 2026, AMA still has some space left, and we can get you additional on board credits. Here are two ideas:
MEKONG River: Vietnam & Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap for 7-nights
- Visit local markets and temples, do a local school visit, get a tuk-tuk tour of Phnom Penh, and experience the amazing people, culture and food of the unique part of the world on a fully escorted trip.
- 2026: Departures October through December from $2749
- 2027: Departures January through April and August through December from $1929
AMA on the MEKONG. Kim travelled with AMA Waterways on the Mekong, and put together this video: https://youtu.be/tvA_WHOYuLo
PROVENCE, FRANCE: Lyon to Marseille for 7-nights
- Visit Lyon (overnight), Vienne, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles (overnight). Experience farm to table food, wineries, Roman Ruins, and the French countryside.
- 2026: Departures October through December from $3099
- 2027: Departures March through December from $3229
- Here’s our video from when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/H2rBL8J7DIU
OCEANIA – A la Carte Luxury on a Small Ship
Oceania has an elevated culinary experience, and you can choose whether you prefer included beverages or a shore excursion credit.
JAPAN: Tokyo round-trip departing March 21, 2027 for 10-Days
- Cherry Blossom Season!
- Start in Tokyo, and then visit Hokkaido, Niigata, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Busan, Nagasaki, and Shimizu
- Fares from $5199
Miami to Panama City departing January 5 for 10-days
- Start in Miami and visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Santo Tomas, Roatan, Puerto Limon, the Panama Canal, and finish in Panama City.
- Fares from $3760
Montreal to LA departing October 10, 2027 for 32-days
- Start in Montreal and visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Sept-Iles, Havre Saint Pierre, Corner Brook, Sydney, Halifax, the Royal Naval Dockyard, Nassau, Miami, George Town, Cartagena, the Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, and finish in Los Angeles.
- Veranda fares from $13,749
Your Oceania fare includes SPECIALTY DINING, GRATUITIES, WIFI, and a choice of a SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT or BEER/WINE with meals.
WINDSTAR YACHTING EXPERIENCES
If you like a smaller ship, with a casual atmosphere, then here’s some ideas from WINDSTAR. If you’re a FOODIE, WINDSTAR is a member of the James Beard Foundation.
TAHITI: Papeete round-trip departing week for 7-days
- Tropical Beauty, Remote Islands, Dreamy Lagoons.
- Start in Papeete, and visit Moorea, Raiatea (overnight), Taha’a, Bora Bora (overnight), and Huahine before returning to Papeete.
- Fares from $3586
- Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM
ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days
- Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
- 2027: Depart July or August from $3775
Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?
Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:
- $100 per person on board credit
- 6-month final payment date
- $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.
We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:
https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
