Realities of River Cruising
#1
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Realities of River Cruising
Currently enjoying a river cruise on the Danube to visit the Christmas Markets. Due to flooding on the Danube (the heavy snows that paralyzed MUC two weeks ago are melting and there’s been additional rain), we’ve had major changes on our itinerary. We set sail from Nuremberg, made our first port of Regensburg, which we left late, and then stopped unexpectedly in Straubing before we could get to our next planned stop in Passau. We spent two days stuck in Straubing before our cruise line bussed us 4.5 hours to Vienna to board a different ship so we could continue. We were still being wined, dined, and entertained, plus enjoying tours they added for the area where we were stuck. It’s not been the itinerary we planned but still great. Similiar decisions are having to be made all along the Rhine and the Danube by all the river cruise companies. Some companies are engaging in ship swaps like we did, others are doing hotels and bussing, while we have heard of one cancelling mid cruise. All that being said many people were not aware this was a possibility.
So here’s some heads up if you are considering a river cruise:
1. River cruising, even more so than ocean cruising, is affected by the weather. Too much water (like this week) and the ships can’t get under bridges. Too little and the river is not deep enough to sail. Sailings may be altered or cancelled. You might end up switching ships, or staying in a hotel and bussing instead.
2. Just like with ocean cruising, if you absolutely must see something and your vacation will be ruined if you don’t see it, then consider a land vacation instead.
3. Flexibility is key. Many of us onboard looked at the changes as an opportunity to see something different. A few left the cruise in Straubing and made other plans, and were looking forward to the changes. Either way both groups are left enjoying themselves rather than upset because we didn’t get to see our original itinerary.
So here’s some heads up if you are considering a river cruise:
1. River cruising, even more so than ocean cruising, is affected by the weather. Too much water (like this week) and the ships can’t get under bridges. Too little and the river is not deep enough to sail. Sailings may be altered or cancelled. You might end up switching ships, or staying in a hotel and bussing instead.
2. Just like with ocean cruising, if you absolutely must see something and your vacation will be ruined if you don’t see it, then consider a land vacation instead.
3. Flexibility is key. Many of us onboard looked at the changes as an opportunity to see something different. A few left the cruise in Straubing and made other plans, and were looking forward to the changes. Either way both groups are left enjoying themselves rather than upset because we didn’t get to see our original itinerary.
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,376
Great Advice
Currently enjoying a river cruise on the Danube to visit the Christmas Markets. Due to flooding on the Danube (the heavy snows that paralyzed MUC two weeks ago are melting and there’s been additional rain), we’ve had major changes on our itinerary. We set sail from Nuremberg, made our first port of Regensburg, which we left late, and then stopped unexpectedly in Straubing before we could get to our next planned stop in Passau. We spent two days stuck in Straubing before our cruise line bussed us 4.5 hours to Vienna to board a different ship so we could continue. We were still being wined, dined, and entertained, plus enjoying tours they added for the area where we were stuck. It’s not been the itinerary we planned but still great. Similiar decisions are having to be made all along the Rhine and the Danube by all the river cruise companies. Some companies are engaging in ship swaps like we did, others are doing hotels and bussing, while we have heard of one cancelling mid cruise. All that being said many people were not aware this was a possibility.
So here’s some heads up if you are considering a river cruise:
1. River cruising, even more so than ocean cruising, is affected by the weather. Too much water (like this week) and the ships can’t get under bridges. Too little and the river is not deep enough to sail. Sailings may be altered or cancelled. You might end up switching ships, or staying in a hotel and bussing instead.
2. Just like with ocean cruising, if you absolutely must see something and your vacation will be ruined if you don’t see it, then consider a land vacation instead.
3. Flexibility is key. Many of us onboard looked at the changes as an opportunity to see something different. A few left the cruise in Straubing and made other plans, and were looking forward to the changes. Either way both groups are left enjoying themselves rather than upset because we didn’t get to see our original itinerary.
So here’s some heads up if you are considering a river cruise:
1. River cruising, even more so than ocean cruising, is affected by the weather. Too much water (like this week) and the ships can’t get under bridges. Too little and the river is not deep enough to sail. Sailings may be altered or cancelled. You might end up switching ships, or staying in a hotel and bussing instead.
2. Just like with ocean cruising, if you absolutely must see something and your vacation will be ruined if you don’t see it, then consider a land vacation instead.
3. Flexibility is key. Many of us onboard looked at the changes as an opportunity to see something different. A few left the cruise in Straubing and made other plans, and were looking forward to the changes. Either way both groups are left enjoying themselves rather than upset because we didn’t get to see our original itinerary.
Plus to river cruises:
1) No packing and unpacking
2) Your hotel is your transportation
3) No trying to find a decent place for meals
4) Literally wake up in a new location each morning
#3
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Join Date: Nov 1999
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Waving to you from shore (though Wien is quite a ways from the river) and was in Budapest earlier in the week. Was looking at using river cruises for transportation but they're still too expensive in the dead of winter. Took the train between the two for €21 in 1st.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,348
And even land travel can have problems, strikes, diasters, etc. I was in Europe when to Iceland Volcano ash stranded flights for a long time. We were fortunate as we were traveling by rail but boy did we see a lot of messed up travelers.
Plus to river cruises:
1) No packing and unpacking
2) Your hotel is your transportation
3) No trying to find a decent place for meals
4) Literally wake up in a new location each morning
Plus to river cruises:
1) No packing and unpacking
2) Your hotel is your transportation
3) No trying to find a decent place for meals
4) Literally wake up in a new location each morning
#5
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
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Just as an FYI, one should always look at the historic high water level markers alone the rivers to get an idea of how much water levels can rise up to. Was in Wachau or Duernstein a few years ago (by road) and was observing the levels. The Donau wasn't particularly low at that time but the high water levels must have been a good 6-7m higher than the water level that day.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,376
Water levels
In general, in recent years, low water levels seem to a bigger concern than high.
It's why I usually recommend (and sail myself) with AMAWaterways. Their ships are designed with a shallower draft so that they can manage in lower water than other companies. Of course, there is no guarantee ever--as with most travel.
It's why I usually recommend (and sail myself) with AMAWaterways. Their ships are designed with a shallower draft so that they can manage in lower water than other companies. Of course, there is no guarantee ever--as with most travel.
#8
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Join Date: Nov 1999
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Posts: 21,807
In general, in recent years, low water levels seem to a bigger concern than high.
It's why I usually recommend (and sail myself) with AMAWaterways. Their ships are designed with a shallower draft so that they can manage in lower water than other companies. Of course, there is no guarantee ever--as with most travel.
It's why I usually recommend (and sail myself) with AMAWaterways. Their ships are designed with a shallower draft so that they can manage in lower water than other companies. Of course, there is no guarantee ever--as with most travel.
Writing this on a very nice Ceske Drahy Railjet BC seat (inflight entertainment (music, books, movies, games and all through the onboard wifi internet).
#9
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Thanks for the information. We are considering a river cruise. I’ve watched quite a number of videos, but I don’t recall hearing about the issue of high water levels before. Only the problems with low water. But your post makes a lot of sense and has opened my eyes a little wider. If I want a bus trip, I’ll just join with the Villagers up the road and stay local.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,376
It ius really rare
Thanks for the information. We are considering a river cruise. I’ve watched quite a number of videos, but I don’t recall hearing about the issue of high water levels before. Only the problems with low water. But your post makes a lot of sense and has opened my eyes a little wider. If I want a bus trip, I’ll just join with the Villagers up the road and stay local.
#12
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BamaVol I’m not usually a bus traveler (bad encounter with people from the Villages years ago on a transatlantic cruise😜 ). The bus ride part is unusual. Several people opted to take a train from Straubing to Vienna instead of the provided buses. And AMA was fine with that, helping arrange taxis to the train station, etc
#13
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We were on AMAWaterways. They’ve given all of us a 50% future cruise credit. Already planning my next trip.
BamaVol I’m not usually a bus traveler (bad encounter with people from the Villages years ago on a transatlantic cruise😜 ). The bus ride part is unusual. Several people opted to take a train from Straubing to Vienna instead of the provided buses. And AMA was fine with that, helping arrange taxis to the train station, etc
BamaVol I’m not usually a bus traveler (bad encounter with people from the Villages years ago on a transatlantic cruise😜 ). The bus ride part is unusual. Several people opted to take a train from Straubing to Vienna instead of the provided buses. And AMA was fine with that, helping arrange taxis to the train station, etc
#14
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