Danube river levels

[dodger1964]

Any current reports about Danube levels between Budapest and Nuremberg?

 

And

 

 

Are there any websites anyone can recommend that shows the river level data and maybe forecasted levels?

[G.M.T.]

The Danube in Passau is higher than usual, but cruise boats were moving in both directions today. Heavy rain is expected overnight.

 

Here is a website (in German) that shows river levels at various towns in table form.

 

http://www.hnd.bayern.de/pegel/donau_bis_passau/passau-10091008/tabelle

[zitsky]

I was on the phone with my TA. She said, I should be worried about the river level on the Danube. There is a drought there. Is she right?

[FuelScience]

I was on the phone with my TA. She said, I should be worried about the river level on the Danube. There is a drought there. Is she right?

Here's the latest Danube info from Viking's web site:

 

The Danube has been experiencing low water levels, but due to recent heavy rains, water levels are now rising rapidly. Our ships are still able to operate in accordance with standard itineraries, but please note, conditions may change on short notice. Guests will be contacted individually if deviations from the standard itinerary become necessary.

 

 

The following sailings will be affected:

• July 28th Grand European Tour on board Viking Gefjon
  
• July 28th Grand European Tour on board Viking Ve
  
• July 28th Romantic Danube on board Viking Var
  
• July 28th Romantic Danube on board Viking Tor
  
• August 2nd European Sojourn on board Viking Lif
  
• August 2nd Passage to Eastern Europe on board Viking Lif
  

[zitsky]

Thanks for that, FuelScience. I also found that info under My Trip on the Viking website, in case anyone wonders where it comes from. Vikingrivercruises.com, My Trip, Update on current sailings.

[Prunion]

We will be traveling the Danube between Budapest and Nuremberg in March 2018, does anyone know how the weather is usually there during that time, water levels that might effect the cruise.

[zitsky]

We have had no problems with water levels on 9/8 Romantic Danube cruise.

[seawob]

On our recent Viking Romantic Danube river cruise (9/1 to 9/8) from Nuremberg to Budapest we were advised before we boarded the boat that the river was low and we would probably have to swap boats mid cruise. When we got on the boat we were told that because of the rain there was a possibility of not having to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain we probably would not have to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain (now high river level) we would have to swap boats because mid cruise the boats could not get under the bridges. So we swapped boats. Go figure....

[Mark_T]

When we got on the boat we were told that because of the rain there was a possibility of not having to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain we probably would not have to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain (now high river level) we would have to swap boats because mid cruise the boats could not get under the bridges. So we swapped boats. Go figure....

 

Welcome to river cruising :)

 

This is an excellent example of how quickly things can change and why it is impossible to give simple direct answers when people demand that the cruise lines tell them what will happen on their cruise days, and sometimes weeks, in advance...

[Prunion]

On our recent Viking Romantic Danube river cruise (9/1 to 9/8) from Nuremberg to Budapest we were advised before we boarded the boat that the river was low and we would probably have to swap boats mid cruise. When we got on the boat we were told that because of the rain there was a possibility of not having to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain we probably would not have to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain (now high river level) we would have to swap boats because mid cruise the boats could not get under the bridges. So we swapped boats. Go figure....

 

Thanks for the reply, but why are you swapping boats, what kind of boat did you swap too. Not understanding how swapping boats will fix the water lever problems. Sorry new to river cruising

:confused:

[FuelScience]

On our recent Viking Romantic Danube river cruise (9/1 to 9/8) from Nuremberg to Budapest we were advised before we boarded the boat that the river was low and we would probably have to swap boats mid cruise. When we got on the boat we were told that because of the rain there was a possibility of not having to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain we probably would not have to swap boats. The next day we were told because of the rain (now high river level) we would have to swap boats because mid cruise the boats could not get under the bridges. So we swapped boats. Go figure....

seawob, this note should be required reading for everyone who asks about water levels! Thanks for posting.

[dolllover]

I plan on rolling with the punches on my upcoming river cruise on the Danube.

[capriccio]

Thanks for the reply, but why are you swapping boats, what kind of boat did you swap too. Not understanding how swapping boats will fix the water lever problems. Sorry new to river cruising

:confused:

 

Many - but not all - companies have so many riverboats on the Danube that one will get stuck upstream of the closed section (due to either high water or low water) of the river and another downstream of it. In those cases passengers and their luggage are bused past the problem area and board the sister ship on the other side. We did that on our first Uniworld Budapest to Amsterdam cruise in August 2015 when Europe was having a record heat wave and the Danube was closed for days. We had our tour of the Melk Abbey, then a lovely lunch (Uniworld had reserved an entire restaurant for the 100 passengers) and then a bus ride to Regensburg to board a sister ship. The ship layout was identical and our stateroom numbers were the same. The cruise director also switched ships with us. The process was seamless and we each received a $1000 credit for a future cruise.

 

The real problem comes if there isn't a sister ship to swap with. That summer Uniworld had one of its brand new super ships on that itinerary (the only super ship on that itinerary) and canceled that cruise a few days in advance because a ship swap wouldn't have been possible.

[gnome12]

Thanks for the reply, but why are you swapping boats, what kind of boat did you swap too. Not understanding how swapping boats will fix the water lever problems. Sorry new to river cruising

:confused:

Generally, there is one spot that ships can't pass. In this case it was a low bridge, sometimes it is an area of low water levels that ships can't sail.

 

When a cruise line has multiple ships (usually identical) on the river, on either side of the problem, you pack up your stuff, and while you are out on an excursion your stuff is moved from your ship to one on the other side of the problem, and their passengers' stuff is moved to your ship. Then at the end of the excursion you are bused to your new ship. When the ships are identical, you will be in exactly the same cabin on the new ship. It is obviously inconvenient to have to pack up, but your trip continues as expected.

[Prunion]

Generally, there is one spot that ships can't pass. In this case it was a low bridge, sometimes it is an area of low water levels that ships can't sail.

 

When a cruise line has multiple ships (usually identical) on the river, on either side of the problem, you pack up your stuff, and while you are out on an excursion your stuff is moved from your ship to one on the other side of the problem, and their passengers' stuff is moved to your ship. Then at the end of the excursion you are bused to your new ship. When the ships are identical, you will be in exactly the same cabin on the new ship. It is obviously inconvenient to have to pack up, but your trip continues as expected.

 

Thanks for updating me

[Prunion]

Generally, there is one spot that ships can't pass. In this case it was a low bridge, sometimes it is an area of low water levels that ships can't sail.

 

When a cruise line has multiple ships (usually identical) on the river, on either side of the problem, you pack up your stuff, and while you are out on an excursion your stuff is moved from your ship to one on the other side of the problem, and their passengers' stuff is moved to your ship. Then at the end of the excursion you are bused to your new ship. When the ships are identical, you will be in exactly the same cabin on the new ship. It is obviously inconvenient to have to pack up, but your trip continues as expected.

 

Thanks for the info.

[seawob]

Everything happened on our boat swap as Gnome12 said. The second boat was identical to the first (except it had more bathroom supplies). Viking comped passengers to a Salzberg tour on swap day but as the bus ride was about 5 hours total I opted for a shorter (but over 2 hour) ride to the 2nd boat.

[Norvig]

Seawob, good to hear the ship swap went smoothly. We leave Budapest on 23/09 on th eDanube & guessing with all the rain in the forecast we could be doing a ship swap as well. Any tips if a ship swap happens?

[seawob]

There were some impacts because of the swap. Repacking was not fun. I understand the portion of the river affected is quite lovely and so we missed that but since night cruising seemed to be the order of the day, I wonder how much we would have been able to see. The countryside as viewed by bus is quite nice, but they probably frown on passengers sipping German or Austrian beer and propping up feet as you would have been able to do on the boat. Viking provided extras such as the Salzberg tour. Some lines may do more, some less. In the end, we just viewed it just as something we couldn't control and made peace with that.

[Norvig]

Thanks so much for the reply. We have done many bus tours in Europe so really hoping for a complete river cruise but as you say, just go with the flow & enjoy our time rather than stressing about things beyond our control. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. Any additional news would be appreciated.

[Norvig]

There were some impacts because of the swap. Repacking was not fun. I understand the portion of the river affected is quite lovely and so we missed that but since night cruising seemed to be the order of the day, I wonder how much we would have been able to see. The countryside as viewed by bus is quite nice, but they probably frown on passengers sipping German or Austrian beer and propping up feet as you would have been able to do on the boat. Viking provided extras such as the Salzberg tour. Some lines may do more, some less. In the end, we just viewed it just as something we couldn't control and made peace with that.

Seawob was your swap at Passau/Regensburg? This is our first river cruise so having some concerns. Thanks.

[seawob]

The boat docked outside of Passau (an hour and a half bus ride to town). After we rejoined the boat from the Passau tour we packed our bags. The next day we could choose to either take the bus tour to Salzberg and be taken to the new boat, or bus directly to the new boat.

[Norvig]

The boat docked outside of Passau (an hour and a half bus ride to town). After we rejoined the boat from the Passau tour we packed our bags. The next day we could choose to either take the bus tour to Salzberg and be taken to the new boat, or bus directly to the new boat.

Thanks Seawob. Very helpful info.