The drought affecting parts of Europe has seriously complicated this summer’s river tourism season.
From the Danube to the Rhine, via the Main and several French canals, low water levels are making certain stretches difficult, even impossible, to navigate.
Nevertheless, cruise operators are avoiding cancellations as much as possible. They have developed a whole range of solutions: changing boats, reversing itineraries, relocating port calls, overnight stays in hotels, or coach transfers.
An adaptability that allows departures to be saved, but which can also significantly alter the trip purchased by the client.
From the Danube to the Rhine, via the Main and several French canals, low water levels are making certain stretches difficult, even impossible, to navigate.
Nevertheless, cruise operators are avoiding cancellations as much as possible. They have developed a whole range of solutions: changing boats, reversing itineraries, relocating port calls, overnight stays in hotels, or coach transfers.
An adaptability that allows departures to be saved, but which can also significantly alter the trip purchased by the client.
VNF : the small-draft network far more affected
In France, Voies navigables de France (VNF) wants to avoid generalizations.
In a note published on August 13, the institution notes that 97.5% of the large-draft network remains operational despite the drought.
The situation is markedly different on the small-draft network, particularly important for river tourism : only 71.5% of the network remains operational.
This difference directly concerns pleasure boating, the rental of boats without a license, or some houseboats-hotels.
The situation deteriorated over the summer. By August 15, the reservoir-dams monitored by VNF displayed an average fill rate of 35%, versus 42% at the start of the month and 58% on average over the last ten years on the same date.
The Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal latéral à la Loire were notably closed to navigation as part of restrictions affecting North-South connections. Other incidents were reported on the canal between Champagne and Bourgogne, the Yonne, the Seille or the Ardennes Canal.
Asked, Riverly told us they do not wish to speak on this subject.
In a note published on August 13, the institution notes that 97.5% of the large-draft network remains operational despite the drought.
The situation is markedly different on the small-draft network, particularly important for river tourism : only 71.5% of the network remains operational.
This difference directly concerns pleasure boating, the rental of boats without a license, or some houseboats-hotels.
The situation deteriorated over the summer. By August 15, the reservoir-dams monitored by VNF displayed an average fill rate of 35%, versus 42% at the start of the month and 58% on average over the last ten years on the same date.
The Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal latéral à la Loire were notably closed to navigation as part of restrictions affecting North-South connections. Other incidents were reported on the canal between Champagne and Bourgogne, the Yonne, the Seille or the Ardennes Canal.
Asked, Riverly told us they do not wish to speak on this subject.
The “ship swap” technique
The French difficulties are part of a much broader phenomenon.
AmaWaterways describes a summer “exceptionally dry” in Europe. According to the company, the Danube in Romania fell to its lowest level in around thirty years, while the Rhine, the Main and the upper Danube are operating below seasonal levels.
When certain thresholds are crossed, ships can no longer navigate safely.
Viking has also confirmed exceptionally low levels on parts of the Rhine and Danube and warned that several of its itineraries may be modified.
To avoid cancellations, operators have developed a now well-honed technique: the “ship swap”.
AmaWaterways positions two ships on the same river, on opposite sides of the now-inaccessible sector. During a land excursion, passengers move from one vessel to the other. On arrival, their luggage awaits them in a corresponding cabin. The impassable stretch is thus bypassed without interrupting the voyage.
Viking applies a comparable strategy thanks to identical sister ships navigating in opposite directions. Passengers can switch ships while retaining the same cabin category on the other side of the affected zone.
This arrangement, however, requires a sufficiently large fleet and ships positioned in the right place.
AmaWaterways describes a summer “exceptionally dry” in Europe. According to the company, the Danube in Romania fell to its lowest level in around thirty years, while the Rhine, the Main and the upper Danube are operating below seasonal levels.
When certain thresholds are crossed, ships can no longer navigate safely.
Viking has also confirmed exceptionally low levels on parts of the Rhine and Danube and warned that several of its itineraries may be modified.
To avoid cancellations, operators have developed a now well-honed technique: the “ship swap”.
AmaWaterways positions two ships on the same river, on opposite sides of the now-inaccessible sector. During a land excursion, passengers move from one vessel to the other. On arrival, their luggage awaits them in a corresponding cabin. The impassable stretch is thus bypassed without interrupting the voyage.
Viking applies a comparable strategy thanks to identical sister ships navigating in opposite directions. Passengers can switch ships while retaining the same cabin category on the other side of the affected zone.
This arrangement, however, requires a sufficiently large fleet and ships positioned in the right place.
AmaWaterways claims zero cancellations
When changing ships isn’t enough, operators go further.
AmaWaterways explains it can reverse the direction of a cruise, add a night in a city, arrange a coach journey to an inaccessible port of call, or even rebuild the itinerary entirely.
The company thus claims to have not cancelled any departure this summer due to the low water levels.
Rather than dropping a trip when the river becomes impracticable, the aim is to preserve as much of the touring program around the navigation as possible, even if it means completing part of the journey by road.
AmaWaterways explains it can reverse the direction of a cruise, add a night in a city, arrange a coach journey to an inaccessible port of call, or even rebuild the itinerary entirely.
The company thus claims to have not cancelled any departure this summer due to the low water levels.
Rather than dropping a trip when the river becomes impracticable, the aim is to preserve as much of the touring program around the navigation as possible, even if it means completing part of the journey by road.
When the cruise continues on the road
In Budapest, some boats had to stop at Komárom, about 120 kilometers from the Hungarian capital, forcing their passengers to continue by road.
In Bulgaria, near Vidin, 186 tourists had to be evacuated from a vessel that had run aground.
In Spain, El País reported the case of 120 travelers who set out on a Danube cruise. Facing navigation difficulties, a large portion of the itinerary had to be completed by road. The passengers estimated they would cover nearly 1,500 kilometers by coach.
In Bulgaria, near Vidin, 186 tourists had to be evacuated from a vessel that had run aground.
In Spain, El País reported the case of 120 travelers who set out on a Danube cruise. Facing navigation difficulties, a large portion of the itinerary had to be completed by road. The passengers estimated they would cover nearly 1,500 kilometers by coach.
An evolution that perfectly illustrates the industry’s transformation: today, nearly 90% of Rivages du Monde’s activity is devoted to river cruising.
Published by Laurent Guéna 
