I filled out 2 different contact forms on the Viking site and have yet to receive a reply. Just found this article Roland. We have read many comments from Viking travelers who are finding it very difficult, being bussed instead of cruising. This article is such an interesting explanation of the concept of river levels. As you know, we were on the last ship Jewel to get through the low water and left Amsterdam on 25th June just managing to scrape through to Budapest. I can understand passengers being upset at their trip being disrupted but the vagrancies of nature run riot with the best laid plans of tour directors.
If you go on a river cruise, you have to be aware of the problems which may arise through no fault of the company. This year was exceptional throughout Europe with such dry weather causing havoc not only to the travel industry but with the commercial traffic, whose livelihood depends on the rivers. I hope people who have had their trip disrupted manage to read your article and thus can appreciate the problems that the cruise companies have had to contend with this year.
Thanks for sharing and hope you get to go when the time is better. We received a letter last Monday from Crystal Cruise Lines informing us of the low water levels. We were scheduled to leave on Oct 25th on a river cruise from Vienna to Basel Switzerland. We were given three different options including cancelling with a full refund. Unfortunately after much consideration we decided to cancel. After reading some of the comments here I think we made the right decision.
We were impressed that Crystal contacted us and gave us the options.
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Maybe next year we will try again. We just came back from an Avalon cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam Sept. We had received notification from Avalon approx a week before departure advising of possible changes and water level problems. However all went very well until we reached Cologne. Avalon handled the changes seamlessly. No complaints, would certainly travel with Avalon again, great service, food excellent, spotless ship The Passion Cruise director Maria was amazing.
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Ours was in early August and Viking were decent from start to finish. Itinerary changes, buses, ship swap and drip feeding of information to keep people fooled all through the cruise. The funny thing was, so many people were so gullible until they realised we would be missing the last 2 stops and being bused to Amsterdam. Afraid it is turning into a bus tour. Has anyone demanded a refund from Viking? I know the contract is solid on there part but this is ridiculous. I wish an attorney would respond.
We are scheduled on Uniworld November 10 from Budapest to Amsterdam. We cannot do bus tours. Even if it started raining now, would boats be able to navigate? Although we took none of the cruise lines listed. They said we may have to trade ships between Rudesheim and Mainz. We had a small layover at Rudeshiem, and a determination would be made. If we had to trade ships, we would have to have our luggage ready by morning. We would be bused to two smaller ferry lines for the trip through the gorge. Fortunately the rain the day before and during the night, was enough to keep from grounding the ship.
We were notified departing Rudesheim, that the water levels had significantly increased and we would sail through. Our sister ship going northbound was also able to continue through to Amsterdam. Nothing was kept secret, and we were always kept in touch by the Cruise Director, and the Captain. They also laid out the night before around pm, what was in store for the next days activities. I would use Avalon again, without question. And yes, regardless of the line or money spent. How are the AmaWaterways cruises doing on the Rhine? We will be going from Amsterday to Basel starting Nov.
The Amaserena from Vilshoven to Budapest could not proceed beyond Vienna. The line did a good job rescheduling and we chose to spend three days in Vienna on the ship. A great place to be stranded Bus to Budapest and we ended up hiring a private guide for a tour there. Disappointing, certainly, but I was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter of apology from Ama Waterways with a significant future cruise credit.
They handled the situation in a very classy way. A wise decision indeed. It is a tough choice but you can now plan to cruise another day. I guess the bus companies can be happy this year. I was aware of the drought situation on the Danube and have been following it. After several phone calls to Costco Travel and much online research including finding this blog!
Her husband drives buses for the cruise companies and they he is having to go past Vienna to pick up passengers to bring back to Budapest! Our Riviera cruise from Budapest to Budapest started with really low water levels in Budapest on 5th October. Travelled as far as Linz upstream but downstream the cruise terminated in Bratislava. Spoiled the end of our holiday. Accept others were more seriously affected, but we specifically asked our TA to check with Riviera before we left UK that previous cruise itineraries had been achieved naturally or by bussing, hotel stays or switching ships.
We would have liked the opportunity to re book. We were scheduled to leave Vienna to Basel on Oct. We received an email from Crystal on Monday giving us three options,one was a reduced cruise of 7 days ,a 14 day cruise back and forth from Vienna to Passau or a cancellation with a complete refund. After much discussion and reading all these comments thank you we decided to unfortunately cancel. Kind of knocks the wind out of your sails when you are looking forward to getting away but we were happy with Crystal for giving us options.
If anyone is on this cruise would love to hear some comments during or after their cruise. Thank You rich gmail. Wee have just finished our 16 day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam, and we travelled with Gate1, on the Monarch Baroness. We hit very low water levels between Passau and Regensburg on the Danube, so the crew dumped all excess weight, and we sailed slowly through the night, scraping the bottom across sand and rocks occasionally eek! We had 10cm of clearance. Our ship was smaller and lighter than the Viking and Scenic ships, so we did see lots of passengers exiting their ships with all their luggage at Passau, presumably to travel by bus.
Then we hit record low levels on the Rhine at Nuremberg. Gate1 transferred us all to a day cruiser ship to continue sailing for about 3 hours and the day cruiser was large and comfortable, served meals and beverages and then we transferred to Gate1s sister ship, the Monarch Queen, further up the Rhine. The ships are identical and we went straight into the same cabin numbers we were on the Baroness. From there we completed our cruise to Amsterdam. We were very impressed by Gate1 efforts not to disrupt our sailing, and they did wonderfully well.
Most importantly, we sailed every day. As far as we know, it is still dry with no substantial rain predicted , so I think as time goes on, I would think you would be better cancelling if you are on Viking or Scenic. We also saw Avalon stranded, and an Emerald ship. Passau is definitely an issue.
We left the tour. They were bussing from Budapest to Vienna, two nights in hotel then bus to Regensburg. Ship swap there but still no sailing. Ship as hotel and then bussing to destinations then back to ship. Are you being bussed or ship swapping.. Budapest to Passau are ships cruising? In the same boat.
I would rather cancel than have my river cruise trip of a lifetime turn into a bus tour with bag lunches and smelly toilets. Adding to what I said before, the weather forecast in the Danube river basin has some rain starting next week. Good luck in your decision making. I hope you get better information that will help with your decision making than we got. Companies have been sued successfully for not providing relevant info in a timely manner. Does anybody know anything about average water levels at that time of year on Rhone River?
No rain anywhere and none in the forecast. No ships were sailing and everyone we met at the airport today indicated the same. They got from Amsterdam to Regensberg and then all busing to Budapest. Lots of disappointment on the rivers this year. Maybe a rain miracle will happen but not looking good. Any info to share on your cruise? Please post any info on busing or ship swapping.. True or False — Are you being bused from city to city or ship swapping? We bought the insurance.
It later became apparent that was a serious misrepresentation of the water situation at that time. Had Viking been forthcoming about the situation, we may have cancelled sooner and received a more favorable reimbursement percentage of vouchers versus refund. And have a diminished opinion of Viking. First time cruisers, celebrating our 40th anniversary. Then when we got the email from Viking two days before our scheduled departure telling us we were likely to be bused, we called and Viking was willing to do absolutely nothing for us.
We agonized another day before cancelling. I agree that the water levels are beyond their control but Viking has otherwise handled the situation quite poorly. Was anyone disrupted on an Avalon cruise Amsterdam to Budapest this year in early July? Thinking of next year this time…. We just returned from Budapest yesterday.
The Danube is extreme low and we did not see any river boats cruising. We were on an Avalon cruise and had to be bused from Vienna to Budapest. I know they are supposed to have boats that can navigate through lower levels than their competitors. We just finished Budapest-to-Amsterdam on 10 October with Scenic; they told us we were their first boat to successfully make the entire trip since July. With the extra day there, we docked downtown for shore excursions than moved to an industrial dock for the following day, which served as a base-of-operations for shore excursions via bus rather than docking in towns nearer the excursions.
The bus excursions were 2 hours of driving time or less, so quite tolerable. The Rhine Gorge water levels were predicted to rise and did not, so we were within one day of having to switch boats and stay in a hotel in Nuremburg for 3 days as a base-of-operations for excursions while the 2nd boat came upstream to meet us. Scenic was very good about clarifying our options, which included an option to stay on the boat for an extra 3 days without excursions or move to the hotel to continue excursions, both with substantial credit offered for the change in itinerary.
Really fantastic effort in my opinion. Buy trip insurance and be ready to be a flexible traveler. We got lucky and had a trip-of-a-lifetime, but we could have very easily gotten too worried about water levels and used our trip insurance to cancel. We go on to the cruise ship and that was the first we heard. We are stuck in Budapest right now and all up and down the river, every company is bussing and hotelling with a few nights spent on the ship, but no cruising.
The Danube is really low. If you can get out now, DO IT! I would have a week ago if only I had been alerted. You always have the option of canceling at any time with viking as long as you buy insurance, if you dont buy insurance shame on you. Nice to have been prepared. Emerald did not send me anything but some on our cruise did receive notification.
We are at beginning of our tour and trying hard not to be too disappointed, but some preparatory information would have helped ease the initial let down. We are into the first full day of our 8 day Danube cruise with Emerald. Information has been provided finally and we will not cruise the river until the final day, from Regensburg to Nuremberg. Two nights in a hotel in Vienna and the rest of the nights on the ships. But, there will be no cruising between any ports, so the ships have become fairly expensive hotels on the river.
At least Emerald has a guarantee. Still, lots of disappointed people… understanding that there is no control over river levels, it is a continuing refrain from most cruises that communication is the biggest issue. I still have not received any form of official notification from Emerald other than what I have received today on the boat. Not sure if anyone has had better luck with other companies, but even with Emerald there is variation… some people received hard copy, mail delivered letters before departure. Some received email and many, like me, received nothing.
What is the criteria for selection in this regard? Did I not spend enough on my cruise? Any insight into the water conditions on these rivers? We have had numerous bus trips in lieu of sailing, a transfer from one ship to another, parts of cruise cancelled. The first 7 days of the cruise were superb- great cabin, great meals, everything as promised and expected.
Then on day 8 we were abruptly told to pack up and abandon ship as the cruise had now become a bus tour because the water level was too low to continue. They shoud have informed us of this strong possibility BEFORE embarking us in Budapest and given us the opportunity of bailing out at that stage, with a full refund, which we would have taken. Terminating the cruise at Vilshoven, a dot on the map, made it impossible for us to make alternative arrangements, so most of us had to stay with the bus tour.
What a contrast with the sit-down meal service on the ship, with wine with every meal and tea or coffee whenever we wanted it. I am not on that particular cruise but another one coming up soon. I have not heard anything from Emerald so am assuming that we are good to go on the cruise. I will try to post status once we arrive… still hoping for some river cruising. It was so disappointing since we talked so many friends and family into coming. Then a long early morning bus ride to Budapest airport for flight home.
Our cruise was only two days, and our ports were in ugly industrial areas with so many ships docked there. We all had paid extra for french balconies, but because ships were stacked up by six across, we looked directly into other ships bedrooms, a few inches away! A complete waste of money. We were so disappointed, we realize they cant help the low water levels but we could have been notified ahead of time or even an apology from Viking. We called customer service when we returned and lady was actually rude over phone. We have a different opinion of Viking. Ken-Have you gotten any updates.
Any updates would be appreciated. From missed ports to boat swaps and busing. Their web site says little, the reality is probably a boat swap asnd some busing. I had the exact same experience! After leaving a message on Facebook, I was contacted by Viking and given very honest and exact information. Just today we talk to someone else that told us, as of right now, things look good for no disruptions.
My fingers are crossed!! We are leaving Sept 28th for a Viking River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam and were informed that there are low water levels on the Rhine and that we are starting out on a different ship and will do a ship swap, they said 1 or 2 inches of water could make a difference, I look at it as an adventure and am sure Viking will do everything they can to make the trip enjoyable!! The River Rhine being a perennial river with a catchment of ,00 sq.
Extreme rainfall however in the entire Rhine catchment area over an extended continuous period of time could cause some flooding with occasional extremes such as August and June when the river cruise industry was disrupted for a few weeks. Flooding in the Rhine catchment mainly takes place during winter and early spring.
The Danube Catchment being , sq. Plans to construct a number of barrages and accompanying locks have existed for a couple of decades to solve shipping challenges have gone down the drain after several lawsuits from the green parties who recently won. Nothing to worry about. The River Elbe has always been a very challenging river and notorious for low water and the industry has had some interesting challenges, therefore special ships equipped with paddle wheels have been built and are successful.
Due to extreme heat throughout Europe this spring and summer we have had quite some challenges in the RMD Region Rhine, Main, Danube and their tributaries. Not a drop of rain throughout the RMD region for several months caused extreme low water on the Danube with not only the usual fords, becoming rather shallow, but also at unusual sections. This has created unexpected situations, thus given some serious headaches to the industry and its customers.
A single ship swap with a one or two day disruption of the program is not a big deal, because on other itineraries a swap is a necessity when changing rivers. The local water and shipping authorities display actual water levels at different sections and also do forecasts, but these have become rather unreliable, as they continuously have to correct them this year.
It is a question of a few hours, sometimes 24 or more that the level is high enough to sail through. Now we have had a lot of rain in the catchment for the past weeks, which saturated the land again and extra rain will now be able to find its way to the river feeding a lot of shallow sections again.
The river was forecasted to be navigable for a few days, last week, but then a correction took place to this week, which is communicated by the authorities last minute…. I hope it helps you understand that the industry and all cruise lines are doing their utmost best to properly inform you about the situation on the rivers. This problem caused by nature is very expensive for the cruise lines as well. Liz, I called twice and it was not until I challenged the second Viking person given the reviews I was reading AND posted such on the Viking facebook that they called me.
The person was honest and did reflect what I had been reading. I would be very surprised if there are not disruptions. They have done some swapping of boats and they have been doing some busing to a port or two. What is not true is to simply say their itinerary is being kept because it leaves out the changes. We are going anyway Oct. If I had not received that call I would have been very upset but now I am prepared. I would also like to know the water levels of Rhine and Misel rivers.
Cruising in a week. Anybody have any current knowledge of Danube water levels?? We are leaving on our Viking Cruise next week. We are meant to be sailing Bucharest to Budapest with Viking on 18th Oct. There is a web page that indicates water levels for all rivers in Europe. All levels look at this time to be normal. The concern we have is are we getting factual info from Viking or are they waiting until it is too late to notify passengers?? We barely got under a couple of bridges.
Sounds like the government. We had a day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam that was supposed to leave on August 4, on Emerald Waterways. Because of the low water levels on the Danube we stayed in the hotel an extra day and then were bussed to Bratislava. We spent three nights on the river boat and were not able to get past Passau.
Emerald told us we could not continue from there and gave us the options of flying home, continuing on route by bus, or making our own arrangements. Because of our travel plans we opted to continue by bus. We stayed in three different cities along our original route and then bussed most of the other sites. It was quite a disappointment but I was more displeased with the lack of information and planning exhibited by Emerald. We have booked a Seine river cruise for Sept. Any insight would be much appreciated! Viking put us up in an excellent hotel on the Buda side for the first night instead of the ship.
The next morning we proceeded with BUD excursions, then everyone rendezvoused for lunch on a riverboat restaurant, after which we were bussed to the ship approximately halfway to Vienna. Next 3 days were as scheduled. Night before we arrived in Passau an announcement was made that Passau was as far as the ship could proceed. Viking additionally added a day trip to Linz, which was a significantly shorter ride than was Nuremberg.
Our post cruise plans prompted us and a bus load of other guests to leave the ship a night early to eliminate some bus travel. Again, Viking put us up in a first class hotel in Nuremberg, arranged for all meals and provided a crew person to stay there also to ensure everyone was well taken care of. I cannot say enough for the professionalism of Viking River Cruise personnel. Lastly, we want to thank Ralph Grizzle for recommending the Danube to us for our first river cruise and also for recommending Cruise Specialists.
They did a great job! Hi Ralph, in Poland now. As I have told you before and I am now repeating this to your listeners, we got caught in this mess a few years ago. We had another trip down the Elbe from Prague to Potsdam, which was canceled by Nicko Cruises because of low water levels. Instead, they offered us a trip on the Havel and Oder from Potsdam to Stralsrund.
If we had refused, they would have mailed us all our money back that we had paid them for the trip. The German government insists that they take out insurance to cover this kind of problem and the problem is solved for the customer. We decided to go and had a great time. They gave us the identical places on board that we had paid for, met some great people, Americans and Germans. This year was a hot one in Europe — in the 90s in Europe during the month of July so it was pretty obvious with the lack of rain and high temps, parts of some rivers would be having low water levels.
We did do Crosi-Europe on the same trip I just described to your listeners in August of this year. Another great trip with wonderful food and nice table mates. We were scheduled to do two cruises with Uniworld. The first was in Bordeaux, plenty of water in the French rivers. The second was scheduled for Aug 19, from Budapest to Bucharest. Had booked a suite on the SS Beatrice, the ship we took on our first cruise.
Since we were in France, we eventually took one of the options they offered. However, first I must say that this is when you rely on your travel agent to fight for you. She did, and we ended up in Provence on the Catherine. There were no suites available, but Uniworld offered us two level 1 cabins. We though this was fair. They also refunded our hotel stay in Budapest, 3 nights.
We are also getting a discount on a future cruise. This is when your company shows its true colors. Uniworld has always done the right thing by us. We could also have chosen a full refund, but since we were there, we decided to choose an alternative. It really messed up our flights, but I always get travel insurance. Put these on the ships Facebook page and demand a refund for the bus part. You did not sign up for a greyhound bus trip.
I did and it works. Now pick up port has changed to Andernach. Info of changes thereafter are not forthcoming. Does anyone have further info on the Rhine situation, going north? Having read some of the horror stories I emailed TA today to ask whether our cruise might be impacted. Was told current cruises were being completed to itinerary and only one cruise had been cancelled on 6th Sept. Can this be true? This is a once in a lifetime for us, my birthday and our 40th Anniversary.
We are spending a great deal of money on a suite and air to celebrate. Contacting Viking gave no answer. We were still trying to find out when our refund would be in our accounts nothing in after a week, ridiculous…. It was paid in after a week. They knew a good week before it was cancelled that rivers were low. We needed refund back in bank to rebook a holiday. Low river levels not their fault, but……could have put us on a pre warning….
Thank goodness we were at home, not in a hotel waiting for flight or on Euro train. We were also booked on that same cruise. We were actually on our way to overnight in London when the call came through! Our concern is — did the fact that our original boat Oscar Wilde which was moved from Budapest to go up river a few days before, then being replaced by Thomas Hardy — the boat which was listed to be used on the September 2nd departure have a bearing on this? Was there a problem finding another boat for the September 2nd departure resulting in our cruise being the sacrificial lamb?
Other companies were actually sailing on that stretch at the time of our departure. I accept we will never know! Hi Harold, we booked on this cruise also. I have been concerned also. I have been checking the weather each day and there has been some rain. Viking has an update on their web page to say they expect business as usual in a couple of weeks.
Totally agree with you. Ours is really not a pleasant experience with several last minutes surprise arrangements. Viking on this business should have known, well prepared and communicate with the clients. My friend went on Viking in August from Passau to Budapest for 6 hrs on the bus and change hotels every day. I have insurance to cancel for any reason and wondering if any of you have information about getting full refund by using it. Just finished Cruise with Scenic.. Was bussed two day between boats.. Made most commitments re castles and city visits but had a lot ofbussing and this led to short free time in a lot of places.
Scenic staff try hard to keep to itineraries but the river being low caused problems. The main complaint with all travellers is that the companies have known well in advance that the levels are impassable in some area but do not let you know until you arrive that there may be problems. They extracted a lot of money from customers but are reluctant to cancel even when they know in advance.
We just had a nightmare Viking cruise Budapest to Amsterdam. That was both in Amsterdam and Atlanta. The final straw was receiving an email today from Viking. AS IF we would book another. And by the way, we booked this cruise during the half off sale. I am on the same tour you are and I am seriously considering cancelling. Viking is saying things are getting better but from the reviews even if they know you will end up in a bus tour they are not telling people prior to departure. Please share any information you receive. My wife and I are scheduled for Amd to Bp on Oct It is becoming increasingly obvious there will be changed itinerary, ship swaps, bus travel in lieu of cruising, hotel stays, and other disruptions that will very likely spoil our 12 days of cruising.
We are going on the same cruise next week with Viking. Please let us know how it is progressing. We would be most appreciative. I talked to someone at Viking and pressed her for information about river water levels for the past week. She admitted to interruptions due to low water levels. Our Budapest to Black Sea Riviera cruise 30th August was cancelled less than 24 hours before check in time, by phone call. On a web site re river levels, we have since read that they knew on 22nd August that river was in a very low water state. It would have been better if they had put us on cancellation standby, at that time, but, it was a massive shock.
All bags packed ready to go next morning. Compensation received, full refund, but, special 15 day holiday for husbands 70th….. Keep telling ourselves that our group of 4 are all ok, worse things happen but, very disappointed. How about the Rhine? Booked in about 2 weeks … Amsterdam to Basel … Thanks! We are booked to cruise Budapest to Amsterdam with Scenic towards the end of September.
So far no word from Scenic re possible changes, but I am concerned that we may be on a road trip and not a river cruise. Has anyone travelled on a Scenic Rhine cruise recently?
Water Levels - River Cruise Advisor
We had planned a 15 day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest departing 17 Sep. I have not been contacted by the company or my agent. We are booked Budapest to Amsterdam Sep 14 to Sep We will be in Budapest a few days prior to sailing date. We have tried to get information from Viking about disruption to cruises but no information is being shared. Will try the FB page but would welcome advice as to what we should do.
Tripnof a lifetime is not a bus tour! Due to cruise with Viking on 2nd September Budapest to Nuremburg.
Contacted Viking several times to voice my dismay at possible coach travel in place of boat. Viking are not willing to discuss and commit possible options and time is now running which I feel is just not good enough as we have paid river cruise price and not a coach tour price. Does anyone know what options Crystal Cruises has made through the September 17th cruise on the grand European from Amsterdam to Budapest? I am scheduled for the return trip Budapest to Nuremberg the week after your trip.
Please let me know what you experience. Not that I can do anything about my trip at this point.
Deep River (song)
We are also very concerned. Really puts a damper on preparing for the trip. We will be on the same trip with you. One family member is Does anyone know it this trip is still worth it and how many days of cruising is now a bus ride? We start our cruise on Sept 1-Nuremberg to Budapest. I know Viking has no control over water levels, but they do have control over cancelling instead of putting customers through hellish bus trips when they looked forward to the river cruise of a lifetime.
I am actually dreading going, but what choice do we have? Booked on the Avalon Budapest to Nuremberg cruise August 10 through Received word that Danube was closed at Budapest and above Passau at about 10pm the night before departing to Budapest. Bused from Budapest to Karamov, cruised to Passau. Bused from Passau to Regensburg and then to Nuremberg. Cruise part was okay. Avalon knew river was closed but waited until very last minute to inform customers. Avalon cannot control the river conditions but should inform customers with sufficient lead time to make reasonable decisions.
It will requre a lot of precipitation to renew parts of Danube. Just got off Viking Amsterdam to Budapest, more bus trip than river cruise. Viking tried to accommodate however, we paid for a river, not bus, trip. Received email 5 days prior to sail that we might have change.
We just got back from a Vantage 15 day river cruise from Mainz to Budapest. We only got to cruise 3 days and got bussed the rest. Not a good experience at all. This was a C — bus trip instead of a A grade river cruise. With Their Songs , by J. Burleigh] completed the last of his several influential arrangements, the song had become very popular in recitals. It has been called "perhaps the best known and best-loved spiritual".
It has been sung in several films, including the film version of Show Boat when it was sung by Laura La Plante - dubbed by Eva Olivetti , [3] Paul Robeson performed it accompanied by a large male chorus in the movie The Proud Valley , [4] and it was sung by Chevy Chase in the blockbuster hit National Lampoon's Vacation.
The melody was also adapted into the song " Dear Old Southland ", by Henry Creamer and Turner Layton in and it enjoyed popular success in with versions by Paul Whiteman and by Vernon Dalhart. Deep river, My home is over Jordan. I want to cross over into campground. Deep River, My home is over Jordan. Deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article possibly contains original research.
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