Unexpected New Year on the Danube
Around 200 passengers on a luxury river cruise found themselves in an unexpected situation as they welcomed the New Year. Their ship, the Nicko Vision, became stranded on the Danube River due to unusually low water levels. The incident occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday while the ship was en route to Bratislava.
Stranded but Safe
Local authorities assured that passengers were not in danger. However, the falling river levels meant there was no immediate way to re-float the vessel. The 135-metre-long ship had set sail from Passau, Germany, on 26th December, embarking on a festive Danube itinerary. Earlier in the cruise, guests had already faced disruptions, including a coach transfer to Budapest before re-joining the ship.
Low Water Levels Cause Grounding
The Danube’s water level in the affected area had dropped to about 23 centimetres below normal. This exposed a gravel section of the riverbed and possibly shifted a navigational marker, leading to the grounding. Although no injuries were reported, efforts to free the ship were unsuccessful. A river tug was dispatched on Wednesday, but the attempt failed as water levels continued to decline.
Celebrating New Year Mid-River
With no immediate solution, passengers and crew made the best of the situation. They held a gala-style New Year’s Eve celebration while still stranded mid-river. On New Year’s Day, officials decided to evacuate passengers. However, the low water levels made it too risky to bring another cruise vessel alongside Nicko Vision.
Safe Evacuation and Continued Journey
Authorities positioned a barge next to the stranded ship, allowing 211 passengers to disembark safely. They were then transferred to Viva Two, operated by Scylla Cruises, to continue their journey. Meanwhile, the 46 crew members of Nicko Vision remained onboard the grounded vessel. Local officials noted that the public holiday made it challenging to mobilise additional resources quickly.
Ongoing Challenges for River Cruises
This incident highlights the growing challenges faced by river cruise operators. During winter months, fluctuating and unpredictable water levels can severely disrupt itineraries. Low water conditions on major European rivers like the Danube and Rhine have, in recent years, forced cruise lines to cancel sailings, reroute passengers by coach, or temporarily strand vessels. Several other river cruise ships were reportedly impacted by similar conditions.
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