Riviera Travel is currently reviewing all of its remaining Rhine sailings within its core season, covering eight itineraries to the end of October.
It has also cancelled two sailings on the Danube departing on 14 October and 16 October, although rhe situation on the Danube could change quickly “following even small amounts of rainfall”, Riviera stressed.
Some rain is forecast on both rivers in the next 14 days, but river lines don't believe enough precipitation is coming to dramatically improve the situation.
Explaining its approach, a Riviera spokesperson said: “Riviera has no intention of turning its river cruises into coach tours."
While some itinerary adjustments are unavoidable during periods of exceptionally low water, the operator says it will not compromise "the core river cruise experience guests and travel agents expect".
Riviera's Chief Guest Experience Officer James Golding said: “Where we believe we cannot deliver the Riviera experience our guests have booked, we will always be upfront and make decisions as early as we can.”
The river line paused late summer Rhine and Danube sailings to ensure it was only selling holidays "that can deliver the authentic Riviera experience our guests expect”.
It also launched an enhanced River Cruise Update Centre, featuring a 72-hour outlook and a Five-Point Promise designed to give agents and customers “greater clarity”.
Every river line approached by TTG stressed their key priorities were to keep guests safe and to protect the customer experience.
Viva Cruises, which has a 10-ship fleet, confirmed it has adjusted certain itineraries and plan alternative routes due to the challenging operational situation.
Sister ships
Jamie Loizou, AmaWaterways’ Managing Director, International Markets, painted a slightly more positive picture, saying river lines were “getting closer to being able to offer regular itineraries to guests”.
He said: “At AmaWaterways, our priority is always to keep our guests safe while delivering the best holiday experience possible. Any adjustments are made on a voyage-by-voyage basis, depending on the latest river conditions.”
He added: “While the Rhine and Danube are still experiencing low water, we are getting closer to being able to offer our regular itineraries to guests, especially with some rain in the forecast.”
Loizou noted how AmaWaterways’ ships are designed with shallow drafts, which gives the ultra-luxury line “greater flexibility” on Europe’s rivers. However, he added: “That certainly helps when low water situations occur, but it is not always enough.
“Depending on water levels, we may adjust the order of ports, arrange motorcoach transfers between certain destinations, create alternative routing or docking arrangements, enhance shore experiences or implement ship swaps.”
AmaWaterways, like many river lines, will schedule sister ships on opposite rotations along both the Rhine and the Danube so if required guests can move between vessels with “virtually identical ships with the same layout, amenities and onboard experience”.
Planning ahead
French-owned river cruise line CroisiEurope has redesigned selected 2027 itineraries to minimise the effects of low water levels.
It has reworked its itineraries between Vienna and Passau and Vienna and Budapest, for example, and expanded onto the Main River, with a new itinerary from Mainz to Nuremberg.
On the Rhine next year, CroisiEurope is offering new itineraries to “reveal a different side of the region”.
“By planning with changing river conditions in mind from the outset, the company aims to preserve the quality, variety and enjoyment of its river cruise programme while giving guests and trade partners greater reassurance when planning their holidays,” a spokesperson added.
Clia told TTG how river lines were leaning into their vast experience when managing operations on rivers with changing water levels.
“Cruise lines closely monitor river conditions and work with local authorities and operational teams to assess any potential impact on itineraries,” a spokesperson said.
“Where adjustments are necessary, operators have a range of options available, which may include amended sailing schedules, alternative excursions, transfers by road or arrangements for guests to continue their journey on another vessel."
