Passengers on European river cruises may have to travel by BUS as water levels are too low

‘We always want our guests to feel that they have the most current information about their journey, so we will continue to directly contact all guests on itineraries affected by residual low water conditions until levels return to normal.’

Fellow river cruise operator Scenic also admitted there may be unavoidable changes to schedules.

It says: ‘It is possible that unavoidable impacts to the safe navigation of vessels on the rivers will continue, and may require Scenic to modify ship deployments, to enact ship swaps or to amend or cancel itineraries on short notice.

A view of the Rhine in Cologne in October, which shows how months of dry conditions have left water levels at a record low 

‘Scenic will contact as a priority all guests and their travel agents if their river cruise is impacted.’

Uniworld, which describes itself as a ’boutique’ river cruise company, is of warning diversions on its Rhine and Danube and said changes have already been necessary.  

Chris Townson, managing director said: ‘The Uniworld operations team are monitoring the situation continuously and are doing everything in their power to avoid cancelling cruises due to low water conditions on the Rhine and Danube. 

‘As of right now, we do have a Christmas Market cruise in which we’re accommodating guests in the five star Kempinski Budapest on the first day of the programme, as the ship can’t sail from Budapest at this stage. We are being proactive – the forecast could in fact change and heavy rain could cause the water to rise and the ship to depart as normal. 

‘Our team is in regular communication with our guests booked on this Christmas departure and they’re advised immediately of any developments. 

Our staff on board and on shore work diligently to provide our guests with a level of service they expect from a Uniworld cruise holiday. We’re even working with local partners to bring extra experiences like wine tastings and live musical performances on board the ship.’ 

While US-based Tauck, which also operates river cruises in Europe, was slightly more optimistic, saying any changes to schedules might be minor. 

Drought-like conditions have hit nearly 90 per cent of Germany this year and experts warned the scenario may continue in the future as global temperatures rise. Pictured are boats sailing on the Rhine in the German city of Cologne when water levels were normal

However, it still warned: ‘Water levels on some of Europe’s rivers (particularly the Rhine and to a lesser degree, the Danube) remain below normal following Europe’s hot, dry summer.

‘These low water levels have the potential to impact our upcoming Christmas market river cruises, but at present it is far from certain if those cruises will actually be affected, or what any specific impacts might be.’

Drought-like conditions have hit nearly 90 per cent of Germany this year and experts warned the scenario may continue in the future as global temperatures rise.

The mighty Rhine has hit its lowest water levels ever at several points, and the Danube, the Weser and the Main are all far below normal.

On the waterways that are still navigable, the lower water levels have actually led to increased shipping traffic, as companies pack less weight onto boats so they don’t ride so low in the water.

That means they must send more vessels out to carry the same amount of freight.

Climate scientists have predicted the problem may continue until the spring as glaciers dwindle in the Alps, meaning there is less meltwater to run into rivers.

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