The Danube River is experiencing some of its lowest water levels on record, forcing major river cruise operators to cancel sailings, implement emergency ship swaps, and bus passengers around impassable sections during the peak summer season.
According to the National Water Management Authority of Hungary, the Danube’s water level in Budapest has dropped to within just 8 centimetres (approximately 3 inches) of its historic, all-time record low. The crisis coincides with a historic heatwave sweeping across Europe and is affecting the approximately 150 river ships that typically navigate these waters during the summer months.
Laszlo Somodi, Chief Executive of Hungarian sightseeing operator MAHART-PassNave, confirmed that the situation has become increasingly severe for commercial river operations. “River cruise vessels are currently still able to enter Hungary, but several ships are stranded or waiting in ports because of the low water levels,” Somodi stated.
The impact on local tourism has been substantial. Somodi’s company has been forced to suspend all sightseeing tours north of Budapest, resulting in an 18% drop in bookings for July alone. This sharp decline in business reflects the broader disruption affecting the entire Danube river cruise industry during what should be one of its busiest periods.
Avalon Waterways Cancels Multiple Departures On Danube And Rhine
Avalon Waterways has made the difficult decision to cancel a number of upcoming departures on both the Danube and Rhine rivers as water levels continue to fall. In a statement shared with Travel Market Report, the cruise line explained the unprecedented nature of this year’s conditions.
“The nature of rivers is to ebb and flow, and this season, lower than average water levels on portions of the Rhine and Danube Rivers have impacted select sailings,” the company confirmed. The cruise line stated that Avalon Impression has been physically unable to navigate past the Koblenz area on the Rhine.
With weather forecasts showing no signs of immediate relief, Avalon opted to cancel sailings rather than subject passengers to extensive motorcoach transfers. The company evidently concluded that spending a significant portion of the cruise on buses would not deliver the experience guests had purchased.
Passengers Report Generous Compensation Despite Disruptions To Sailings
For those Avalon sailings that have proceeded with modifications rather than outright cancellations, passengers have reported a mixed but generally understanding response to the challenging conditions.
Passengers cruising eastbound could only make it as far as Vienna before needing to be bused to Budapest. However, one cruise traveller noted that the transition was handled smoothly, with passengers never having to touch their luggage as it was all transferred for them. Avalon also provided “generous onboard credit for each guest” on the sailing as compensation for the disrup
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