Low water in the Danube, 2012
If it seems like only yesterday we were reporting on European river cruises being canceled because high waters were blocking ships from sailing under bridges…well, it was. On May 7, we reported problems on the Rhine, Danube and the Seine.
Now the opposite problem is plaguing cruise operators; some sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube now have water too low to permit safe operation of the ships. CruiseCritic.com reports that Avalon has canceled a sailing for tomorrow, offering passengers a different cruise with similar dates or a full refund or credit.
Viking has informed passengers that changes may be made in an Amsterdam to Budapest cruise, also slated to begin tomorrow. Others, including Uniworld are watching the situation but making no decisions. Similar low-water issues occurred last year.
Just last week, in Berlin, Gumbo shared a food walking tour with a couple who were scheduled for a cruise, and had been told that instead of cruising, they would sleep aboard the ship, and visit the planned ports of call by bus. Then they would be bused to another ship that was already past the low-water area for more tours, while that ship’s passengers would swap with them.
For a fuller story, see CruiseCritic.com by clicking HERE
