Low water levels across major European riverways continue to disrupt late-season sailings on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. For passengers booked on Avalon Waterways, detailed notices outlining multi-ship swaps, long motorcoach transits, hotel accommodations, meal allowances, and compensation refunds are actively being issued.
Below is the complete, official 3-page Avalon Waterways passenger advisory notice transcribing every revised daily port schedule, ship swap transfer, and policy outline.
Related Low-Water Disruption Updates
See how other major river cruise lines are managing low water levels on the Rhine, including extended bus transfers and hotel stays:
Read Basel to Amsterdam Rhine Cruise Updates & Bus Rides »Official Avalon Waterways Passenger Letter (Pages 1–3)
September 30, 2026
Invoice Number 8392041
Thank you for choosing Avalon Waterways for your journey through Europe.
While we strive to bring you a smooth and seamless cruise experience, sometimes Mother Nature intervenes and gives us all added "adventures". Due to low water levels on the Rhine and the Danube, your upcoming cruise will likely require modifications to the originally planned itinerary.
Please rest assured that your safety and comfort are our top priorities. For that reason, we have made alternative arrangements that provide a memorable and enjoyable experience. The current plan is detailed below including a modified route, alternate ports, ship swaps, adjusted sailing time, and some hotel accommodation. Water levels can change quickly, and the final program will depend on the actual water levels at the time of the sailing. Rest assured that we are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as available.
Page 1: Embarkation & Netherlands/Belgium Itinerary
Tuesday, October 13th: Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Airport transfers and embarkation on Avalon Impression
- Windmills, Canals & Cheese of The Netherlands optional excursion
- Overnight in Amsterdam
Wednesday, October 14th: Amsterdam – Enkhuizen (Netherlands)
- Morning included choice between Amsterdam Off-the-Beaten-Path, Amsterdam Canal Cruise, or Power Walk in Amsterdam with your Adventure Host
- Afternoon sailing
- Overnight in Enkhuizen
Thursday, October 15th: Enkhuizen – Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- Morning included excursion in Enkhuizen or biking with the Adventure Host
- Afternoon sailing
- Overnight sailing to Rotterdam
Friday, October 16th: Rotterdam – Middelburg (Netherlands)
- Morning included excursion Rotterdam, Manhattan-on-the-Maas
- Power Walk in Rotterdam with your Adventure Host in the afternoon
- Sailing to Middelburg
Saturday, October 17th: Middelburg (Netherlands) – Antwerp (Belgium)
- Morning included walking tour in Middelburg
- Afternoon sailing
- Docked in Antwerp
Sunday, October 18th: Antwerp (Belgium) – Maastricht (Netherlands)
- Morning included walking tour in Antwerp
- Afternoon and overnight sailing
Monday, October 19th: Maastricht (Netherlands)
- Morning included tour of Maastricht
- Free time in the afternoon
- Overnight in Maastricht
Page 2: Motorcoach Transits, Hotels & Secondary Vessel Swaps
Tuesday, October 20th: Maastricht (Netherlands) – Mainz – Nuremberg (Germany)
- Disembark the Avalon Impression and transfer to Mainz
- Free time for lunch on your own
- Transfer to Nuremberg
- Check-in for dinner and overnight in Nuremberg
- Hotel in Nuremberg to be advised
Wednesday, October 21st: Nuremberg (Germany)
- Morning included choice between Splendors of Nuremberg or Rally Ground Tour
- Free time for lunch on your own and free time in the afternoon
- Dinner and overnight in Nuremberg
- Hotel in Nuremberg to be advised
Thursday, October 22nd: Nuremberg – Regensburg (Germany) – Linz (Austria)
- Check-out and transfer to Regensburg
- Walking tour and local lunch
- Transfer to Linz and Check-in for dinner and overnight in Linz
- Hotel in Linz to be advised
Friday, October 23rd: Linz – Melk – Vienna (Austria)
- Check-out and transfer to Melk
- Visit to Melk Abbey and local lunch
- Transfer to Vienna and embark Avalon Tranquility II
- Overnight in Vienna
Saturday, October 24th: Vienna
- Morning included choice between Treasures of Vienna's Ringstrasse or Biking in Vienna with your Adventure Host or Johann Strauss in Vienna: The Musician's Life & Legacy
- Bites & Highlights of Vienna or Schönbrunn Palace, Cultural Gem of Austria optional excursions in the afternoon
- Classical Music Concert: Royal Waltz optional excursion
- Overnight in Vienna
Sunday, October 25th: Vienna - Bratislava (Slovakia) – Budapest (Hungary)
- Disembark Avalon Tranquility II and transfer to Bratislava
- Included sightseeing of Bratislava and free time for lunch
- Transfer to Budapest to embark the Avalon Expression
- Overnight in Budapest
Monday, October 26th: Budapest (Hungary)
- Morning included choice between Breathtaking Budapest or Hike to the Citadel in Budapest with your Adventure Host
- Afternoon choice of optional excursions Wine Tasting in the Hungarian Countryside or Bites & Highlights of Budapest
- After dinner, scenic sailing in Budapest on a local boat
- Overnight in Budapest
Tuesday, October 27th: Budapest
- Ship docked in Budapest
- Disembarkation and airport transfers
Page 3: Meal Allowances, Compensation & Cancellation Policies
As a result of our itinerary change, some meals may not be available onboard. Whenever possible, Avalon will arrange alternative dining at a local restaurant, hotel, or other venue. If an alternative meal cannot be arranged, we will invite you to explore local dining options at your leisure. In these cases, you will receive €30 per person for lunch and €50 per person for dinner. Avalon will automatically reimburse these meal expenses to the original form of payment used for your cruise booking. Any expenses above these amounts remain the guest's responsibility. When Avalon has provided an alternative meal arrangement, no reimbursement will be issued.
While these circumstances are out of Avalon's control, we understand the inconvenience these changes cause and regret that adjustments to your itinerary will likely become necessary. As a result, we would like to offer you 25% refund of the cruise-only price you paid (including stateroom upgrades), made to your original form of payment*.
For any optional excursions you have pre-paid, which we are not able to operate, you will be refunded to your original form of payment.
Should the itinerary require any further alterations, we will notify you and adjust compensation accordingly based on the final itinerary changes required (which may include a reduction in compensation if fewer changes are ultimately needed).
We will do everything we can to ensure you have an enjoyable and memorable vacation with Avalon Waterways. If however, you would prefer to consider other options such as delaying your sailing to another date or canceling, please reach out to your Travel Advisor or contact us at 877.797.8791.
Again, we offer our sincere regrets for this situation.
Sincerely,
Your Avalon Waterways Team
*Based on your reservation type, restrictions may apply
Essential Packing & Travel Guides
Preparing for a European river cruise with possible ship swaps or bus transfers? Make sure you have the right gear packed:
Watch our short breakdown: Avalon Waterways Low-Water Itinerary Changes & Cancellation Options.
Packing for "The Unexpected"
Itinerary changes often involve moving between hotels and ships. You want your luggage to be organized so that if you have to pack up quickly for a bus transfer, you aren't leaving essentials behind. Here is how we pack to stay organized during a ship swap or hotel detour:
- Compression Packing Cubes: Keep outfits grouped by day. If you have to move hotels, you just grab the cubes rather than dumping out your entire suitcase. [Check Price on Amazon]
- Foldie Foldable Lightweight Tote: Keep one of these in your suitcase. If you have a hotel transfer, throw your overnight essentials in here so you don't have to drag your full-sized luggage onto a motorcoach. The Foldie fits in your luggage when you don't need it! [Check Price on Amazon]
- Portable 10,000mAh Power Bank: Long motorcoach bus rides between rivers often mean limited access to charging outlets. Keep a compact power bank in your daypack so your phone, camera, and tablet stay fully charged while in transit. [Check Price on Amazon]
- Tech Organizer Case: Don't leave loose chargers in hotel rooms. Keep all cables, adapters, and power banks in one dedicated pouch that moves with you. [Check Price on Amazon]
- Handheld Mini Fan: With record high temps, pack a handheld fan to use on excursions that converts to a tabletop fan for your cabin.
Stuck on Land? Outstanding Independent Excursions in Budapest & Amsterdam
When extreme low water conditions force a ship swap, an extended hotel stay, or an altered embarkation/disembarkation point, you might find yourself with unexpected extra time on land in two of Europe’s premier river cruise hubs: Budapest and Amsterdam.
Instead of waiting around in hotel lobbies or riding on long motorcoach bus detours, booking a flexible, top-rated local tour allows you to take control of your itinerary. Below are our absolute favorite independent excursions in both cities to turn an itinerary disruption into a highlight of your trip.
🇭🇺 Budapest: Top Land Excursions
1. Private Budapest TukTuk Tour (Custom Route & Hotel Pickup)
If you are looking to see both Pest and Buda without endless walking on cobblestones, this open-air, 2-seater TukTuk tour is fantastic. Drivers navigate narrow side streets, scenic viewpoints like Castle Hill, and hidden spots that large tour buses cannot access. Includes flexible routing and hotel pickup.
2. Secret Food Tour in Budapest (8+ Tastings & Local Wine)
When meal schedules on a modified cruise itinerary feel uncertain, take a deep dive into local culinary history instead. This guided walk covers classic Hungarian specialties like gulyás, lángos, strudel, and local wines, stopping at family-run eateries away from tourist crowds.
3. Danube River Evening Sightseeing Cruise with Drinks
If low water prevents your longship from doing its iconic illuminated nighttime sail past the Hungarian Parliament Building, don't miss out! Local day-boats with lower drafts can still operate this 1-hour evening cruise with drinks and audio guides.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam: Top Land Excursions
1. Captain Jack’s All-Inclusive 90-Minute Canal Cruise
Widely considered one of the best small-group canal tours in Europe (max 24 guests). Instead of large, crowded tour boats, Captain Jack’s open boat navigates narrow UNESCO-listed canals with local drinks, Dutch snacks, and fascinating historical commentary.
2. Amsterdam Food & Cultural Walking Tour (10 Tastings)
If your embarkation is delayed and you have an afternoon free in Amsterdam, explore Dutch culture through its street food. Features Gouda cheese, crispy Dutch fries, herring, warm stroopwafels, and poffertjes while walking through historic neighborhoods with a local host.
3. Anne Frank & Jewish Quarter Guided Walking Tour
A deeply moving 2-hour small-group walking tour covering Amsterdam during World War II. The guide walks you through the Old Jewish Quarter to the Jordaan District, detailing the history of Anne Frank and the city's resistance movements.
For more cruise reviews and head-to-head river line comparisons, read our detailed guide on Viking River Cruises vs. AmaWaterways Low Water Protocols.
Conclusion
Low water levels do not automatically mean you are stuck with a compromised itinerary or lost travel funds. By being proactive, tracking river conditions, and escalating your concerns early, you can successfully negotiate options like a 100% Future Cruise Credit or cancellation. Have you dealt with low water on a recent river cruise? Tell us what happened in the comments below!
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