Rhine, Danube Water Levels Critical: Avalon, Viking, Riviera Travel Respond Differently
A summer heat wave has pushed Rhine and Danube water levels to critical lows, and the three lines affected are handling it three different ways. Avalon has cancelled a batch of departures outright, with its Impression confirmed stuck short of Koblenz — passengers facing hotel stays and coach transfers rather than a full sailing. Viking is notifying advisors directly that itineraries "may be modified," leaving specifics fluid closer to departure. Riviera Travel is holding the line on cancellations, instead altering routes on four named vessels — Resplendence, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, and William Wordsworth — swapping ports and adding motorcoach segments to keep sailings running.
For advisors, the commercial task now is proactive, not reactive: reach clients booked on Rhine or Danube itineraries departing in the next 7-10 days before the line does, and be ready to explain that rebooking and compensation terms differ meaningfully by operator.
- Avalon: departures cancelled; Impression stranded short of Koblenz
- Viking: advisors alerted that itineraries may be modified, details pending
- Riviera Travel: altering rather than cancelling Resplendence, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, William Wordsworth