Severe drought forces European river cruises to abandon ports and switch to bus tours

Reduced snow melt in the Alps and unusually hot summer weather have left large sections of the Danube and Rhine unnavigable, disrupting European river cruising. AmaWaterways' week-long "Romantic Danube" cruise aboard the new AmaSofia left Vilshofen, Germany, but was forced to dock at Melk, Austria, after water levels fell too low to continue to Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Passengers spent three nights in Melk, were bused to the capital cities, and were given a €50 house credit that many found inadequate.

COO Jon Burrows noted that while newer shallow-draft vessels mitigate some issues, 16 ships across six routes remain affected, prompting the company to modify itineraries rather than cancel. Competitor Viking follows the same adaptation strategy, whereas Avalon allows full refunds for disrupted Rhine and Danube trips. Travelers have expressed frustration over limited rebooking options and compensation, underscoring the growing impact of climate-driven disruptions on tourism.