River cruise lines continue to cancel departures and change itineraries in Central Europe due to floods.
The town of Passau, Germany, at the confluence of three rivers and popular on many river cruise itineraries, was submerged by the worst flooding in five centuries. Local news outlets reported 12 deaths.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection cancelled the June 16 “European Jewels” departure on the River Empress. The ship was currently in Budapest and unable to get to Amsterdam by June 16. Previously cancelled were the June 7 departures of the River Ambassador on the “Grand Danube & Prague” and “Danube Discovery & Prague” trips and the June 9 “Enchanting Danube” cruise on the River Beatrice. Guests will receive a $500-per-person future cruise credit whether they rebook or cancel. Uniworld said it expects to operate all other cruises scheduled to depart June 10-16 due to “careful planning by our European operation team (and in some cases with us swapping ships).”
Scenic Cruises said four ships were in dock waiting for the river levels to drop. “The Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal may be navigable again by mid-week. The stretch between Kelheim and Melk is expecting to reopen by this weekend,” Scenic said in a statement. “These estimates are provided by the waterways authorities who dictate whether or not navigation is possible and if ships must remain docked.” Scenic Cruises is part of Scenic Tours, a large Australian tour operator, so guests continued their vacations on the company’s luxury coaches, which took them to scheduled excursions and exclusive events.
Previously, Avalon Waterways cancelled five cruises and is offering a full refund and $500 credit. Two June 7 departures were cancelled—the “Blue Danube Discovery” and “Jewels of Central Europe,” both on Avalon Luminary. Also cancelled is the June 8 departure of “Magnificent Europe” aboard the Avalon Tranquility, the June 9 departure of “Magnificent Europe” on Avalon Vista and the June 10 departure of “Austrian Highlights & Bavaria” on the Avalon Affinity. The company previously cancelled the June 2 departure of the “Legendary Danube” cruise aboard the Avalon Visionary.
Viking River Cruises cancelled the June 9 “Romantic Danube” sailing on Viking Prestige and the June 9 “Danube Waltz” departure of the Viking Legend. The company is sending guests and their travel agents email notifications and is offering a $500 credit to rebook on another cruise or a full refund and a $500 per person future cruise credit. For details, call 877-523-0579 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday or 818-216-2453 after hours. Viking also changed the itineraries and ships on 16 other cruises, saying guests will be met at the airport and transferred to the appropriate vessel, regardless of whether they purchased transfers from Viking. In addition, a Viking representative will also be stationed at the original port of embarkation to transport guests to the correct vessel or hotel in some cases.
Tauck cancelled the May 30 and June 6 departures of “The Blue Danube” cruise and will provide refunds. Departures currently operating include the June 2 “Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat” and the June 2 “Grand European Cruise.” If those itineraries change, guests can choose to remain onboard or depart early with a full refund.
AmaWaterways said June 3 that it has not cancelled any cruises and is operating on schedule. Avalon said disruptions have been minimal in some cases. “For example there are Avalon ships on either side of the Main-Danube Canal and we have been able to ‘swap’ vessels and transfer passengers from one ship to another so they could continue sailing,” the line posted. “In other instances, we have combined partial sailings with hotel stays. In virtually all instances, the ports, excursions and highlights are being visited or experienced by our guests. We are also providing our travelers compensation depending upon the number of cruising days that may have been affected.”
Source: TravelPulse
Photo courtesy of www.destination360.com
The town of Passau, Germany, at the confluence of three rivers and popular on many river cruise itineraries, was submerged by the worst flooding in five centuries. Local news outlets reported 12 deaths.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection cancelled the June 16 “European Jewels” departure on the River Empress. The ship was currently in Budapest and unable to get to Amsterdam by June 16. Previously cancelled were the June 7 departures of the River Ambassador on the “Grand Danube & Prague” and “Danube Discovery & Prague” trips and the June 9 “Enchanting Danube” cruise on the River Beatrice. Guests will receive a $500-per-person future cruise credit whether they rebook or cancel. Uniworld said it expects to operate all other cruises scheduled to depart June 10-16 due to “careful planning by our European operation team (and in some cases with us swapping ships).”
Scenic Cruises said four ships were in dock waiting for the river levels to drop. “The Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal may be navigable again by mid-week. The stretch between Kelheim and Melk is expecting to reopen by this weekend,” Scenic said in a statement. “These estimates are provided by the waterways authorities who dictate whether or not navigation is possible and if ships must remain docked.” Scenic Cruises is part of Scenic Tours, a large Australian tour operator, so guests continued their vacations on the company’s luxury coaches, which took them to scheduled excursions and exclusive events.
Previously, Avalon Waterways cancelled five cruises and is offering a full refund and $500 credit. Two June 7 departures were cancelled—the “Blue Danube Discovery” and “Jewels of Central Europe,” both on Avalon Luminary. Also cancelled is the June 8 departure of “Magnificent Europe” aboard the Avalon Tranquility, the June 9 departure of “Magnificent Europe” on Avalon Vista and the June 10 departure of “Austrian Highlights & Bavaria” on the Avalon Affinity. The company previously cancelled the June 2 departure of the “Legendary Danube” cruise aboard the Avalon Visionary.
Viking River Cruises cancelled the June 9 “Romantic Danube” sailing on Viking Prestige and the June 9 “Danube Waltz” departure of the Viking Legend. The company is sending guests and their travel agents email notifications and is offering a $500 credit to rebook on another cruise or a full refund and a $500 per person future cruise credit. For details, call 877-523-0579 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday or 818-216-2453 after hours. Viking also changed the itineraries and ships on 16 other cruises, saying guests will be met at the airport and transferred to the appropriate vessel, regardless of whether they purchased transfers from Viking. In addition, a Viking representative will also be stationed at the original port of embarkation to transport guests to the correct vessel or hotel in some cases.
Tauck cancelled the May 30 and June 6 departures of “The Blue Danube” cruise and will provide refunds. Departures currently operating include the June 2 “Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat” and the June 2 “Grand European Cruise.” If those itineraries change, guests can choose to remain onboard or depart early with a full refund.
AmaWaterways said June 3 that it has not cancelled any cruises and is operating on schedule. Avalon said disruptions have been minimal in some cases. “For example there are Avalon ships on either side of the Main-Danube Canal and we have been able to ‘swap’ vessels and transfer passengers from one ship to another so they could continue sailing,” the line posted. “In other instances, we have combined partial sailings with hotel stays. In virtually all instances, the ports, excursions and highlights are being visited or experienced by our guests. We are also providing our travelers compensation depending upon the number of cruising days that may have been affected.”
Source: TravelPulse
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