Viking is warning passengers that selected river itineraries on the Rhine and Danube may be modified as exceptionally low water continues to restrict navigation across parts of Europe.
In an update that remained displayed on Viking's current-sailings page on August 18, the cruise line said its nautical and operational teams were monitoring conditions and working to minimise the effect on guests.
Viking Customer Relations is contacting passengers and their travel advisers before departure when a particular itinerary may be affected.
No blanket cancellation announcement
Viking's notice does not announce the cancellation of every Rhine or Danube sailing. It says selected itineraries may need to be modified.
That distinction is important because river conditions vary by location, vessel and departure date. A cruise may continue while using a different ship, docking point or transfer arrangement, even when one section of the planned route cannot be navigated safely.
Passengers should therefore rely on information sent for their own booking rather than assuming that a warning concerning the Rhine applies identically to every Viking departure.
Ship swaps may be used
Viking says its fleet and network of docking locations allow it to use several contingency measures when water levels interrupt a route.
One of those measures is a ship swap. Viking operates identical sister ships in opposite directions on some itineraries. When a shallow section cannot be passed, passengers and their luggage can be transferred around it before continuing aboard the corresponding sister ship on the other side.
Because the vessels share the same layout, Viking says passengers can move into the same stateroom number on the replacement ship. The arrangement is intended to preserve more of the original holiday, although it may still involve a coach journey and an interruption to continuous sailing.
Rhine falls to record lows
The warning comes during severe disruption to navigation on the Rhine. Reuters reported on August 15 that water levels had fallen to record lows during prolonged hot and dry weather, citing data from Germany's Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration.
The shallow stretch around Kaub in western Germany is a particularly important navigation point. Commercial operators have reduced loads or moved freight to road and rail, while some sailings have been halted at the chokepoint.
River cruise ships and cargo vessels have different dimensions and operating requirements, so disruption to commercial traffic does not automatically establish the status of an individual cruise. However, the conditions demonstrate why cruise lines are reviewing routes at short notice.
What Viking passengers should do
Guests with an approaching Rhine or Danube departure should monitor email, their Viking booking information and messages from their travel adviser. Particular attention should be given to any revised embarkation point, meeting time, transfer instruction or ship name.
Passengers travelling independently to the vessel should verify the final docking location before setting out. Essential medication, documents and valuables should remain in hand luggage in case a coach transfer or ship swap becomes necessary.
Conditions can change quickly after rainfall or further dry weather. Unless Viking contacts a passenger with a change, the company's general notice should not be treated as confirmation that the passenger's cruise has been altered or cancelled.