We are leaving on our Viking Amsterdam to Budapest cruise on 09/12-09/26. We are concerned about low water levels. Friends experienced this in early August and had to change boats along with a 4 hour bus ride. Then some excursions back tracking on buses, which they declined. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17915 posts
I've never done a cruise. But I was up river from Budapest about 30km a few days ago visiting a local beach near one of the narrower parts of the river (high end of Szentendre Island near Visegrad).. Saw one small cruise boat slipping through but wouldn't be surprised if a big Viking ship chose not to try. I had friends leave here on a Viking ship on 28 July and they didn't have any issue. Good luck.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Only reliable source will be the cruise company. We hit low water about this time three, four years ago. The transition from one ship to another was very smooth other than packing our bags in the middle of the trip. This happens and Viking has lots of experience dealing with it.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11179 posts
Saw a news blurb in the last week or so that commercial barges were having problems as in some areas there was not enough water.
I would be prepared to be flexible/adaptable
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4044 posts
Riverboats (which I enjoy) face a double hazard. In the fall, they may be too low for connecting locks. In spring, the levels can be too high for the ships to get under some bridges. This fall appears to have been particularly difficult.
All the cruise lines are experienced and will make alternate arrangements, however disapponting. And there is always the compensation that nobody gets seasick on a slow-moving river boat.