1029GMD

Another update from the Monarch Queen. Since we weren't able to proceed upstream to Passau yesterday 6/14 due to the lock issue near Engelhartszell, we were taken on a bus excursion and spent a short but lovely afternoon in Passau. We paid respect to the historical flood markers and our local guide pointed out where last week's flood reached in comparison. The flooded area has been remarkably well cleaned up, although one can still see the ongoing cleanup efforts. There was a party atmosphere yesterday as the local uni students (?) were out in force prior to the start of the Euro Cup game. Our ship sailed all the way back to Linz and spent the night here. This morning we were informed that the clearing of the lock in question 'may' be completed by 12pm, but at noon was informed that it was still ongoing. Currently awaiting for the latest. Even when opened, I understand there will be a queue of ships that will have to await their turn as noted above.

An update, currently travelling Budapest (departed 6/10) to Regensburg (eta 6/15) on Monarch Queen (Gate1). We just dropped off pax taking the bus excursion to Salzburg at Aschach as scheduled, and the ship was continuing on to Passau but had to turn around because I understand the locks at Engelhartszell (prior to Passau) is (or was) blocked by a barge. Perhaps one of the experts here can confirm (or refute) this info. In any event we're awaiting further details for the balance of our day today, ie. if we will have a bus trip into Passau. Prior to today, we had no impact from last week's flooding at our stops @Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, and Melk other than a slightly longer travel time due to the heavy river flow since we're heading upstream.

Long time lurker, who followed this thread since the first of the year in anticipation of our first river cruise. Just wanted to say thanks to Notamermaid for work put into this thread along with the regular contributors. We left Seattle for Budapest at the peak of the current flooding on June 4, being fully aware that our cruise may turn into a bus tour. Our ship Monarch Queen was tied up in Vienna for 4 days on its downstream leg to Budapest where our upstream cruise was to start on June 10. Fortunately she made it to Budapest and we were able to embark as scheduled. As far as Budapest was concerned, we traveled on the tram along the banks numerous times and saw just a small section where the river seemed to have very minimal flooding over the embankment. Did not see any other issues while we were in the city. As I write this, we just exited the Gabcikovo locks before Bratislava with another ship Viva2. We are scheduled to dock in Bratislava around 10am. Obviously the water levels are very high as we look out along the banks but we have no reference point to compare to. Our destination is Regensburg on June 15. Will report back how far upstream we make it.