TORONTO — River cruise operators say they’re doing their best to navigate yet another summer of low water levels on sections of Europe’s top waterways including parts of the Danube, the Rhine and the Main.

Europe’s recent heat waves have hit the water levels hard, with a handful of river cruise cancellations, as reported yesterday. The lower water levels that are currently impacting navigation on stretches of the upper Danube, between Regensburg and Passau, as well as on sections of the Rhine and Main rivers.

The low levels aren’t a new problem, by any stretch. Once a sporadic challenge, however, the low water levels resulting from scorching heat waves and droughts have become a perpetual hurdle for fans of European river cruising – and for those who sell them.

Pam Hoffee, President, Avalon Waterways, says Avalon has long been committed to contact affected guests and their travel advisors to review their options with as much advance notice as possible.

Just two Danube sailings with Avalon are currently cancelled due to the water levels: WBD/WBDE 0722, 0723.

“Additionally, we have sent advisements to guests on cruises that may be affected through the end of July based on the current situation. We are hopeful that the current weather conditions, including lower temperatures and rain will help raise the water levels soon,” Hoffee tells Travelweek.

“Thankfully, the water levels can change quickly, and our fleet of Suite Ships are designed with low drafts that can get us sailing as soon as conditions allow.”

Her message for travel advisors? “The water levels can change very quickly.”

She said Avalon is proud of its long history of making every effort to keep cruise itineraries intact. When that isn’t possible, the cruise line works closely with guests (and advisors) to present choices to help clients decide their next steps.

Travelweek checked in with other river cruise lines as well. Trafalgar River Cruises says it may make operational adjustments to Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie on the Rhine and Danube in response to evolving water levels. “These adjustments may include itinerary modifications or alternative travel arrangements to help guests continue experiencing the destinations and exceptional service they expect from Trafalgar. Sailings on both rivers are operating as scheduled, and Trafalgar is proactively communicating with travel partners and guests whose itineraries may be affected,” a Trafalgar spokesperson told Travelweek.

AmaWaterways has no cancellations currently, and continues to monitor water levels around the clock and evaluate each sailing individually, said a spokesperson. “When adjustments are needed, our experienced Operations team works closely with our captains and local navigation authorities to adapt. That may mean adjusting the order of ports, arranging motorcoach transfers or, when possible, implementing ship swaps. Our goal is always to minimize disruption while delivering the exceptional river cruise experience our guests expect.”

Travel advisors are very familiar with the contingency plans: motorcoach transfers between ports when the ships just can’t sail.

Asked for advice to pass on to the trade, AmaWaterways said it encourages travel advisors to reassure their clients that river cruising “is a dynamic style of travel, and that changing river conditions are something experienced operators know how to manage. … We also believe in being proactive and transparent. If adjustments become necessary, we communicate with our travel advisor partners and guests as early as possible so they know what to expect. In most cases, those adjustments are behind the scenes.”

Scenic Group is also closely monitoring the situation and keeping passengers and advisors in the loop. On impacted stretches of the upper Danube and sections of the Rhine and Main rivers, “while some localized rainfall has been recently recorded, water levels in certain areas remain insufficient for full navigation. Thus, temporary restrictions, including lock closures, are continuing to impact vessel movements into Budapest, plus some sections of the Rhine and Main Rivers.”

As a result, select Scenic and Emerald Cruises river itineraries are being adjusted, with measures such as ship swaps, modified embarkation or disembarkation port, said the company.

“In a small number of cases, this requires the cancellation of specific sailings, where safe operation and navigation is not possible, given the water level conditions. Scenic Group remains committed to delivering exceptional experiences, and we will continue to monitor the water level conditions closely and provide timely updates, as the situation evolves.”

Meanwhile a Viking spokesperson also told Travelweek that select river itineraries may be modified. Viking strategically deploys sister ships on the same itineraries in opposite directions, and when river conditions require it, Viking may implement a ship swap. “This approach helps preserve itineraries and reduce disruptions to the guest experience,” said Viking.

Despite the summer challenges, no one is backing away from European river cruising any time soon. Far from it. Just today Uniworld announced the debut of three new ships in 2028: the S.S. Helen, S.S. Clara for Europe and Mekong Mystique in Asia, bringing the brand to a total of 22 ships.

The announcement builds on the momentum of the brand’s recent fleet expansion, with four new ships joining the Uniworld fleet in 2027.

Meanwhile Celebrity River Cruises is gearing up for its much-anticipated inaugural season in 2027.

Sandra McLeod with RedDoor Travel in LaSalle, ON doesn’t have clients currently sailing on river cruises in Europe, but it’s a product she sells readily. “I usually prepare them that something like this could happen when choosing when to sail the rivers in Europe,” she said. “I have had clients experience low water levels, high water levels and torrential rain while on a river cruise. Most of them take it in stride, knowing the cruise lines can’t predict the weather.

McLeod added: “The majority of cruise lines do an amazing job at transferring clients from one ship to another – which usually happens. On rare occasions, it can turn into a bus/hotel tour for part of the trip. When this happens the cruise lines are also very generous in providing some type of compensation to the guests.

“I remind my clients that travel requires a level of flexibility, patience and to expect the unexpected.”

Lead image caption: Passau, Germany