Rain has arrived in Europe, relieving river cruise lines that have had to suspend dozens of voyages in recent weeks due to low water levels.
Many companies believe that recent rainfall has been enough to replenish some of Europe’s most severely affected rivers to levels sufficient to resume normal sailing, allowing autumn sailing to continue. He said it was a good sign.
Globus Brand Chief Marketing Officer Steve Born said: “The nature of the river is ebb and flow, and we are thrilled that our guests are enjoying their vacation as intended.”
The Danube and Rhine were among the hardest-hit rivers, with water levels so low at several points that river cruise lines began changing itineraries and canceling cruises.
Scenic, Emerald, Avalon Waterways, Amadeus River Cruises, Uniworld and Viking have all had to cancel or modify their cruises this summer. Changes required guests to change ships and use motorcoach and rail services to complete interrupted itineraries.
“Only a handful of cruises had to be changed,” Bourne said, adding that by mid-August, three out of seven itineraries sailing the Rhine and Danube would require ship changes, and four would require ship changes. He noted that the cruise had to be canceled.
Some cruise lines gave guests the option to continue on the changed itinerary, rebook on a different departure, or receive a partial or full refund of the unused cruise days.
Denise Koranek of Sunset Travel Vacations in Grapevine, Texas, said all three river cruises she booked for Scenic clients have been cancelled. She said about a third of her clients chose to follow the new itinerary they were offered.
“We will be reimbursed for the train ticket (up to $500) from Amsterdam to Switzerland for the return trip from Zurich,” said Koranek. “Two-thirds are canceled and rebooked.”
Captain Arjan Leunis sails AmaLucia through Mannheim, Germany on the Rhine.Photo credit: His TW photo by Nicole Edenedo
As the summer progressed, high temperatures, combined with months of lack of sufficient precipitation, caused the already low water levels to continue to drop. According to the cruise company, the voyage troubles began in late July and lasted until mid-August.
Marcus Leskovar, Executive Vice President of Amadeus River Cruises, said: Confused.
Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge said the company’s large fleet in Europe has mitigated the impact of low water levels on its operations.
“Overall, we only had to cancel 7% of the cruises we felt could not meet our standards, and 93% of our European cruises operated as planned with little or no change. ‘ said Bettridge, adding that he was affected. Guests are usually accommodated on her other Uniworld ships that sail through Italy, France and Portugal.
Travel Advisor has been waiting with bated breath for the rain while responding to numerous phone calls and emails from affected cruise customers. Some were nervous about the possibility that his cruise on the River, which he had booked in September, would go awry next.
Toni Lanotte-Day, owner of Toni Tours in Levittown, New York, said: to covid. ”
Suzy Schreiner, owner of Azure Blue Vacations in Bothell, Washington, said her recent group of cruises on AmaWaterways was one of the few boats on the river at the time.
“We literally have a little smaller ship, [shallower] It’s more drafty than other ama boats,” Shriner said of Amasutera.
AmaWaterways said there were no cancellations this summer, but even with the cruise line’s shallow-draft vessels, the company was not completely immune to low water levels.
“The itineraries on the Rhine and Danube were modified as needed,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “All of our ships are sailing again on their original planned itineraries. Our experienced team will continue to monitor the situation closely, but the coming weeks will see a good mix of sun and rain.” Guests will be able to enjoy a spectacular fall river cruise as it is predicted to be the season.”
