This summer season, Europe has suffered prolonged dry and hot conditions, resulting in many of the continent’s rivers having historically low water levels. As a result, many cruise lines operating river cruise vessels have been forced to adapt. And one cruise ship, Viking Ullur, ran aground July 28 along the Danube because of low water levels.

Water levels on both the Danube and Rhine have been at the lowest since 2018. In specific destinations like Romania, the water level hasn’t been this low since 1996. In Croatia, the low water level even revealed a freight ship wreck that sank in 1937.

Cruise lines made changes to maneuver these challenges. Uniworld’s S.S. Emilie couldn’t dock in Spitz for an excursion and had to dock elsewhere. The vessel also cannot sail to Nuremburg or Regensburg, the planned last stops of the itinerary, instead visiting Linz, Austria.

Budapest, a main beginning destination for many Danube cruises, is struggling, with ships having a hard time docking in the city. In June, Viking’s Rhine Getaway trip from Amsterdam to Basel swapped ships to adjust to low water levels. Changes included a 24-hour stay on the ship in Koblenz before a five-hour bus transportation to Strasbourg to get on another river ship.

Viking launched a dedicated page regarding its Danube and Rhine river sailings. The cruise line announced, “Sections of the Danube and Rhine Rivers are currently experiencing exceptionally low water levels. As a result, select Viking river itineraries may be modified. Viking’s nautical and operational teams are closely monitoring conditions and working to minimize any impact to guests’ travel experiences…in various water-level situations, when disruptions occur, we can implement ‘ship swaps,’ allowing guests and their luggage to transfer to their exact same stateroom on an identical sister ship on the other side of the affected section of river.”

Other lines, like Riviera Travel, positioned ships along different stretches of the Danube and Rhine rivers to ensure passengers still have a fulfilling journey.

Despite these events, cruise cancellations seem to remain at a minimum. Travelers still seek river cruise experiences this summer and into fall, and cruise lines’ adaptations don’t appear to be deterring too many travelers at the moment.

If you have an upcoming river cruise along these rivers, there’s no need to alter plans at the moment. Many cruise lines anticipate conditions will improve in the coming weeks and months as autumn and rainfall arrive.

Were you on a cruise this summer that altered the itinerary because of low water levels? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.