Updated 13 August 2026: Exceptionally low water across several European rivers has caused cruise cancellations, heavily revised itineraries, ship swaps and additional coach journeys during the summer season.
Riviera Travel has confirmed the largest publicly reported group of cancellations so far, with 10 scheduled departures abandoned since disruption began in early July. Avalon Waterways has separately named three cancelled Danube Dreams departures.
However, most river cruises have not been cancelled outright. Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Emerald Cruises and other operators are continuing many departures with changes that can include alternative ships, different embarkation points, hotel nights, missed ports and coach transfers.
This article distinguishes confirmed whole-holiday cancellations from cruises that are still operating with a changed itinerary. River conditions and operators' plans can change quickly, so passengers should treat direct communication from their cruise line or travel agent as definitive.
Riviera Travel: 10 departures cancelled
Riviera Travel confirmed on 12 August that it had cancelled 10 scheduled departures and revised six further itineraries because of record-low river levels.
The affected waterways include the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main. Riviera said it had cancelled only where it concluded that no viable alternative itinerary could be delivered.
The company has not published a complete public list naming all 10 cancelled departures. One cancellation independently reported by a passenger was the Rhine and Moselle River Cruise due to depart on 7 August. Earlier trade reporting put Riviera's cancellation count at eight before the company confirmed the updated total of 10.
Affected passengers are being offered a transfer to another Riviera holiday in 2026 or 2027, or a full refund. When an alternative costs more, Riviera says it will contribute £250 per person towards the difference. Those choosing a refund are also being offered a 15% future European river-cruise offer valid for six months.
Riviera is advising passengers against transferring immediately to another near-term Rhine, Danube or Moselle departure while conditions remain uncertain. It has suggested the Douro, Seine and Rhône as river alternatives.
Avalon Waterways: three Danube Dreams departures named
Avalon Waterways' public travel advisory names three cancelled Danube Dreams departures:
- WBD/WBDE 0722 — departure associated with 22 July 2026
- WBD/WBDE 0723 — departure associated with 23 July 2026
- WBD/WBDE 0727 — departure associated with 27 July 2026
Avalon says it has contacted affected passengers and their travel advisers directly to discuss alternatives. Its advisory, last updated on 22 July, warns that further cancellations could become necessary as conditions evolve, but it does not currently name additional departures.
Tauck cancellations reported by passengers
Passengers and travel advisers have reported several Tauck cancellations, including early-August Blue Danube and Grand European departures. A passenger also reported that a Romantic Capitals departure scheduled for 28 June was cancelled shortly before it began because the vessel could not reach Regensburg.
These accounts are useful warnings, but Tauck has not published a current consolidated list of cancelled departures on its public website. Anyone booked with the company should therefore rely on a direct notice from Tauck or their travel adviser rather than assuming that every departure carrying the same itinerary name is cancelled.
Scenic and Emerald Cruises
Scenic Group has acknowledged disruption across the Upper Danube, Main and Rhine. Its latest public alert says some stretches are not navigable and that affected guests departing up to 31 August should have received an initial notification.
Scenic and Emerald Cruises are using alternative ships, hotels, coaches and revised touring arrangements where required. Earlier trade coverage said Scenic had cancelled selected itineraries, but the group has not placed a full date-by-date cancellation list on its public alert page.
The current Scenic notice therefore should not be read as saying every departure is cancelled. It means particular sailings are being assessed and affected passengers are contacted directly.
Viking: modifications rather than a published cancellation list
Viking's current-sailings notice says selected Rhine and Danube itineraries may be modified. The company highlights its use of identical sister ships sailing in opposite directions, allowing passengers to swap vessels on either side of an unnavigable section.
Viking has not published a general list of drought-related cancellations. Its notice says affected passengers and travel advisers will be contacted before departure.
The low water has nevertheless caused serious operational incidents. Viking Ullur grounded on a sandbank on the Danube in Bulgaria on 28 July, after which passengers were taken ashore to continue their itinerary. No injuries were reported.
AmaWaterways: cruises continuing with adjustments
AmaWaterways says unusually low water on parts of the Rhine and Danube has made operational changes necessary on selected sailings. Possible measures include changed ports, different embarkation or disembarkation locations, coach transfers and altered ship schedules.
The line's public update does not list whole-cruise cancellations. AmaWaterways says passengers on affected departures are contacted individually by email.
Uniworld: most sailings still operating
Uniworld says the vast majority of its cruises continue to operate, although individual August departures are being reviewed. Changes can include alternative embarkation points, another ship, hotel accommodation or coach travel.
Recent examples include substantial changes to S.S. Emilie itineraries and a planned ship swap for an S.S. Antoinette departure. Those are itinerary changes rather than confirmed cancellations of the whole holiday.
Uniworld says September and October conditions cannot yet be assessed reliably. Passengers will be contacted directly if a significant deviation or cancellation becomes necessary.
Why are the rivers so low?
Extended dry weather and repeated heatwaves have reduced flows across central Europe. On the Rhine, the important navigation point near Kaub has fallen to exceptionally low levels, making parts of the waterway impassable to some vessels.
The Danube has also reached historic or near-historic lows in Hungary and parts of eastern Europe. The problems are not uniform along an entire river: a ship may navigate one section normally but be unable to pass a shallow point farther along its route.
This is why operators can sometimes preserve a holiday through a ship swap or coach journey rather than cancelling it. It also explains why decisions may be made only days before departure as rainfall, river flow and the position of each vessel change.
What should passengers do?
- Check the operator's official travel-alert page and your email regularly.
- Ask whether your holiday is cancelled or merely operating with a revised itinerary.
- Request written details of any ship swap, hotel stay, missed port or extended coach transfer.
- Do not cancel the booking yourself before understanding the operator's offer and your booking terms.
- Contact your travel insurer if the proposed change materially affects your plans or if independently booked transport and accommodation could be lost.
A low-water warning for a river or cruise line does not automatically mean a particular departure has been cancelled. The booking reference and departure date in a direct operator notice are the safest way to identify an affected cruise.
Confirmed position at a glance
- Riviera Travel: 10 cancellations confirmed in total; six more itineraries altered. A full public list of the 10 has not been released.
- Avalon Waterways: three named July Danube Dreams departures cancelled.
- Tauck: several cancellations reported by passengers and advisers, but no consolidated official public list.
- Scenic and Emerald Cruises: selected cancellations previously reported; current public notice concentrates on alternative arrangements and direct passenger contact.
- Viking, AmaWaterways and Uniworld: widespread modifications, but no current fleet-wide public cancellation list.