River Cruise Operators Reroute Trips After European Drought

European river cruise passengers faced major itinerary changes after drought-driven low water levels disrupted voyages on the Danube and Rhine, with Tui customers reporting coach transfers instead of expected sailing and Riverside Debussy passengers moved to alternative waterways.

According to BBC reporting, Tui passengers on Isla departures from 14 and 21 September were given revised plans because parts of the Danube became difficult to navigate. Some travelers sought refunds after spending thousands of pounds.

Richard Pearson, whose week-long holiday began on 21 September, said his group spent much of the trip traveling by coach after arriving in Budapest and being unable to board the ship immediately. He estimated 14 to 15 hours were spent on coaches.

"Average" described the hotel accommodation provided after passengers learned the vessel was unavailable, according to Pearson.

Pearson said the revised schedule included transfers to reach the ship, daytime excursions from ports, and sailing during hours when scenery could not be viewed. He said the food and staff onboard remained positive aspects of the journey.

"We spent 14 to 15 hours of that holiday on a coach trip, plus time wasted waiting for coaches" said Richard Pearson.

"Circumstances beyond [Tui's] control because of the low water levels" was the explanation Pearson said passengers received.

"[But] the main thing for us was it wasn't relaxing. It wasn't a river cruise, it was a little bit of sailing, a floating hotel with coach transfers" said Richard Pearson.

Sue Crosby, who traveled with her husband on the Isla departure beginning 14 September, said she was unhappy with the handling of the changes. The couple had paid £3,700 and asked for a refund before traveling.

"We feel as though we've been had" said Sue Crosby.

Crosby said the main issue was not only the river conditions but the way the changes were managed. She said passengers experienced only limited sailing time during the cruise.

"It's how they handled it, and the fact they're still advertising the holidays now" said Sue Crosby.

"We didn't want to go on a tour on coaches every day" said Sue Crosby.

David Mallon and five others canceled their Isla trip after reviewing the amended itinerary. They later booked another holiday and planned to seek reimbursement.

"What they were planning to give us was not a cruise but a glorified coach trip" said David Mallon.

"We don't blame Tui for the water levels, but it's the way they've handled the consequences of that" said David Mallon.

Tui said extreme heat across Europe contributed to low Danube water levels and affected river cruise operators. The company said revised arrangements allowed passengers to visit destinations including Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava.

"Extreme heat across Europe this summer caused low water levels on the Danube, affecting river cruise operators across the region. We review every sailing individually with our nautical partners" said a Tui spokesperson.

"Customers on the Tui Isla departures on 14 and 21 September were sent revised itineraries before travelling. Where the ship couldn't sail sections of the river, we arranged coach transfers, hotel stays and adjusted travel arrangements to minimise transfer times so customers could still visit destinations, including Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava" said a Tui spokesperson.

"We reviewed the revised arrangements carefully and customers continued their holiday on the amended itinerary under our standard booking conditions. While customers were still able to visit the key destinations on their itinerary, we're sorry some did not get the river cruise experience they had anticipated" said a Tui spokesperson.

Riverside Debussy also changed course after drought affected Rhine navigation. The revised route replaced stops in Germany with destinations in Belgium and the Netherlands, including Brussels, Vlissingen and Rotterdam.

During the alternative voyage, an interpreter in Belgium joked about unusual weather conditions during a historical demonstration.

"Based on today's weather, you might think Belgium is a tropical island" said the interpreter.

Riverside hotel director Ilija Marojevic said operators need greater flexibility as river conditions become less predictable. The Riverside Debussy is a 55-suite ship with capacity for 110 passengers.

"We have excellent suppliers and extra flexibility. Feedback goes directly to our owners. If we need to adapt something, it doesn't take 20 emails or 50 calls. We must assume there will be more summers like this" said Ilija Marojevic.