Riviera Travel has cancelled 10 European river cruise departures and modified a further 6 itineraries as exceptionally low water levels continue to restrict navigation on parts of the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main.
The disruption follows weeks of high temperatures and limited rainfall across parts of Europe, with conditions deteriorating on several commercially important stretches.
The UK-based company said the cancellations had been made only where it considered that no viable alternative itinerary could be operated. Six other departures on the Rhine and Danube are proceeding with revised programmes, with affected passengers being contacted as river conditions continue to be assessed.
Riviera has established a dedicated incident team to manage the disruption, while additional cruise directors and head-office staff have been deployed to ships. The operator is also increasing call-centre capacity and coordinating communications with travel-agent partners. Daily operational information is being published through its travel updates hub.
Riviera's passengers booked on European river cruises are being provided with updates at ~14 days, 7 days and 72 hours before departure. Riviera's assurance policy provides for alternative arrangements when navigation is disrupted, including coach transfers, itinerary changes and, where necessary, ship changes. If an equivalent alternative cannot be provided before departure, the cruise can be cancelled with a full refund.
For the latest disruption, Riviera is offering affected passengers the choice of transferring to another Riviera holiday in 2026 or 2027, taking a full refund, or selecting an alternative river cruise on the Douro, Seine or Rhône. European and worldwide escorted tours are also being offered as alternatives. The company has advised passengers considering a near-term replacement on the Rhine, Danube or Moselle to consider later departure dates while water levels remain uncertain.
Where an alternative holiday costs less than the original booking, Riviera will refund the difference. If the replacement is more expensive, the company will contribute GBP 250 per person towards the additional cost. Passengers opting for a refund will also receive a 15% Welcome Home Offer, increased from the standard 10%, valid for six months against a future European river cruise in 2026 or 2027.
For cruises that have already operated with mid-voyage alterations, Riviera said compensation or goodwill arrangements would be assessed after completion of each sailing. The company will determine whether future-travel vouchers or cash alternatives are appropriate based on the circumstances of the individual voyage.
The current disruption is affecting a broader section of Europe's river-cruise network. Extremely low levels on the Rhine have also created significant restrictions for commercial shipping, with the Kaub section in Germany identified as a particularly critical point for navigation.
Riviera's post-cruise surveys for July Rhine and Danube departures recorded an average trust score of 8.6 out of 10 and positive sentiment of almost 88%, according to the operator. The figures were cited as evidence of passenger response to the operational measures implemented during the disruption.