Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has changed the ships, embarkation points or opening arrangements for five European river-cruise departures beginning on August 16, 2026 as unusually low water continues to affect the Rhine and Danube.
The most substantial changes affect passengers due to embark in Regensburg and Budapest. One vessel cannot reach Regensburg, while another cannot reach Budapest, requiring guests to begin their journeys elsewhere.
The holidays have not been cancelled. Uniworld is preserving the departures through ship swaps, a revised embarkation port, hotel accommodation and passenger transfers.
Regensburg embarkation moved to Passau
Guests who were due to embark or disembark on S.S. Beatrice on August 16 will instead travel aboard S.S. Maria Theresa.
Uniworld says the vessel cannot reach Regensburg because of fluctuating water levels on the Danube. Embarkation has therefore been moved to Harbor Racklau in Passau, Germany.
Passengers with scheduled Uniworld transfers or a Uniworld pre-cruise extension will be taken to the ship. Guests without transfers can make their own way to Passau or use a complimentary group shuttle departing from Regensburg Hauptbahnhof at 2.30pm.
Budapest passengers begin at a hotel
S.S. Maria Theresa is unable to reach Budapest for its August 16 embarkation.
Passengers will instead begin the voyage at the Corinthia Budapest hotel before being transferred to the ship for the remainder of the cruise. Guests with Uniworld transfers will be taken directly to the hotel, while independently arriving passengers have been instructed to make their own way there.
This is a change to the opening arrangements rather than cancellation of the complete holiday.
Vienna departure switches ships
The Vienna embarkation for Vineyards & Palaces along the Danube was scheduled to take place aboard S.S. Emilie. Passengers will now embark on S.S. Beatrice.
Uniworld says the published Vienna port location at Schiffsstation Handelskai has not changed.
Amsterdam and Basel ships exchanged
Two August 16 departures of Castles along the Rhine are also affected by ship swaps:
- Passengers embarking in Amsterdam were due to join S.S. Antoinette but will instead board S.S. Elisabeth.
- Passengers embarking in Basel were due to join S.S. Elisabeth but will instead board S.S. Antoinette.
The embarkation locations in Amsterdam and Basel remain unchanged.
Low water affects three European rivers
Uniworld says unusually low levels on sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube have made operational adjustments necessary on selected cruises.
The company says the vast majority of its sailings continue to operate. Individual August departures are being reviewed according to conditions, with possible measures including alternative embarkation points, ship swaps, hotel stays and transfers.
River conditions can differ between individual sections and can change quickly. A ship may be able to complete part of an itinerary but remain unable to pass a particularly shallow location or reach its intended turnaround port.
What should affected passengers do?
Passengers should check Uniworld's official port-location page shortly before travelling and follow any direct instructions supplied by the cruise line or their travel adviser.
Anyone travelling independently should pay particular attention to the revised arrangements for Regensburg and Budapest. Other departures carrying the same itinerary or ship name should not be assumed to be affected unless Uniworld confirms a change for that specific date.