Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
Menu
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

Central Europe Floods: How River Cruise Companies Are Adapting

by Daniel McCarthy  September 20, 2024
Flooded Danube in Hungary.

Flooded Danube in Hungary.

The worst flooding that Europe has seen in two decades has killed at least 24 people in Central Europe.

According to reports, Europe is both starting to recover from the flooding, which began last week after torrential rain caused rivers in the region to overflow, bursting banks in several parts and killing at least 24 people, and preparing for it to potentially worsen.

The flooding is impacting parts of Austria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, including portions of the Danube River, a main artery for Europe’s river cruise industry. For those river cruise companies, the floods are impacting sailings along that river, and guests sailing itineraries there over the next week or so should expect disruptions.

What river cruise lines are doing

Viking River Cruises is changing “select itineraries” because of the flooding. A spokesperson told TMR that guests along the Danube could be forced to do a ship swap because of the water levels, but that the Viking team will do whatever it can to minimize those disruptions.

“Our Switzerland-based nautical team is continually monitoring the situation and will make any necessary adjustments to accommodate the conditions,” Viking’s sailing page says.

Avalon Waterways is changing two current sailings, communicating those changes directly with guests and travel advisors. It is also canceling two future sailings.

“While we do everything we can to create contingency plans that offer Avalon guests incredible experiences when Mother Nature intervenes with record rainfall in a short period of time, it becomes increasingly difficult to deliver an elevated cruising experience,” Avalon Waterways told TMR in a statement on Monday.

A spokesperson for AmaWaterways, for instance, told TMR on Monday that “the high water has caused some minor inconveniences.” Those include some ship swaps or adjustments in impacted areas to make itineraries work. No AmaWaterways itinerary has yet to be canceled by the floods.

Riviera Cruises has also been forced to make changes. A spokesperson said that “a small number of Riviera’s scheduled itineraries” have been affected. “In these situations, the line has an experienced team focusing on making itinerary and excursion amendments to ensure any guest disruption is minimized.”

Scenic Group told TMR that the ongoing flooding “will require modification of ship itineraries and schedules frequently and on short notice.”

“Where possible we will reschedule our fleet of Scenic Space-Ships and Emerald Cruises Star-Ships to allow us to enact ship swaps. However, we are restricted with the current rising water levels, specifically around the upper Danube River areas of Vienna and Budapest,” a spokesperson added.

“We are working closely with our team on the ground in Europe and are contacting as a priority all guests and their travel advisors if their river cruise is impacted. The Scenic Group management team are committed to doing everything we can and will provide further updates on this page as the situation progresses. Our thoughts are with our local teams, families, and all impacted by these devastating floods.”

Uniworld is also making changes.

“Due to unseasonably high water levels in Central Europe, various cities and stretches along Danube rivers have been impacted, temporarily affecting operations for river cruise lines. We are actively monitoring the situation and communicating any program adjustments with impacted Uniworld guests and their Travel Advisors,” a Uniworld spokesperson said.

“Guests can be assured that the operations team is working diligently to provide them with alternatives that meet Uniworld’s strict standards for quality and service, delivering the 5-star experience that they know and expect.”

Riverside Luxury Cruises said it also has made some major changes. Riverside Mozart remains docked at Vienna, Austria, and will not continue to Passau, Germany, where the current voyage was scheduled to conclude on September 19.

“At the cruise line’s expense, Riverside is arranging transfers to Passau or Munich, Germany, for guests on disembarkation day to meet their flights or next scheduled engagement with minimum interruption,” a spokesperson said.

Riverside Mozart’s September 19th voyage has also been canceled.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.

  3
  0
Related Articles
Land Specialist Trafalgar is Latest Entrant in Europe’s River Cruise Market
River Expeditions: Lindblad Charter Deal Will Put it on Europe’s Waterways
Comparing Cabins on River Cruise Ships for Each Major Cruise Line
Uniworld Limited Time Deals Deliver up to 40% Off
Outlander’s Graham McTavish & Sister Hazel Headline Avalon’s 2026 Storyteller Series
Emerald to Launch Two New Superyachts, First-Ever Seine River Ship
Avalon After Dark: River Line Says Evenings Will Shine Brighter in 2026
Uniworld Announces Big Plans for 2026 50th Anniversary Year
Huntington Travel Group Launches Cruise Products, Names Sundram as Manager
AmaWaterways Announces Co-Brand “Alliance” with Smithsonian Journeys

MOST VIEWED

  1. Testing the Waters with Dori: Do Travel Advisors Actually Dislike Viking?
  2. American Airlines Launches First Touchless ID Lanes
  3. Sandals Has ‘Strong Interest’ in Bringing Beaches to St. Vincent & the Grena
  4. Travel Advisor Appreciation Month Offers Not to Be Missed
  5. American Airlines Wants to Hold Your Connecting Flight
  6. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico Will Break Several Records


  1. 8 Things to Know About Azamara Cruises
  2. Nothing But Clear Skies for the Cruise Industry
  3. Inside Celestyal’s Push to Win Over North American Travel Advisors
  4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises Makes Key Promotions to Strengthen North American Sales Leadership Team
  5. SAVE THE DATE: 1st-Annual Canadian Travel Awards to Celebrate the Industry’s Best
  6. Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Upgrades to Norwegian Epic and Pride of America
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Avalon Introduces Lineup of “After Dark” Activities
Avalon Introduces Lineup of “After Dark” Activities

From a new sunset Sky Deck dinner option to lively after-dinner entertainment, Avalon is extending the typical river cruise day.

First-Time ASTA River Cruise Expo Attendees on Why Travel Advisors Shouldn’t Miss Next Year’s Show
First-Time ASTA River Cruise Expo Attendees on Why Travel Advisors Shouldn’t Miss Next Year’s Show

First-time ASTA River Cruise Expo attendees talk about why you shouldn’t miss next year’s event — and how to make the most of it.

Catching Up with Uniworld’s Michelle Palma
Catching Up with Uniworld’s Michelle Palma

TMR sat down with Uniworld’s executive vice president of sales for North America at the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo.

How PONANT and Paul Gauguin Cruises Merge Excellence in Expedition and Exploration Travel
How PONANT and Paul Gauguin Cruises Merge Excellence in Expedition and Exploration Travel

Expedition travel isn’t a trend — it’s a mindset shift.

Princess Cancels All Galveston Departures from November 2026 On
Princess Cancels All Galveston Departures from November 2026 On

Princess said the move is part of its global deployment strategy.

What to Know about Avalon Waterways’ New Itinerary on the Garonne and Dordogne
What to Know about Avalon Waterways’ New Itinerary on the Garonne and Dordogne

TMR was among the first guests onboard Avalon’s all-new Bordeaux river cruise. Here’s what the experience is like.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
Advertiser's Voice
We Celebrate YOU
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences