Low Waters in Germany: Avalon Cancellation Update

[Avalon Waterways]

CRUISE CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT: July 16, 2015

Due to low waters on a stretch of the Danube River in Germany, we have made the difficult decision to proactively cancel the 7/19 departure of the following itinerary: The Highlights of Germany (WPZ 50719) cruise aboard the Avalon Affinity. We are contacting all guests scheduled to depart on this cruise (and the travel agents who booked them) to offer a full refund, plus a future cruise credit allowance.

 

If you are traveling with Avalon Waterways on this specific departure or in the near future and have questions or concerns about your upcoming vacation, we invite you to contact your travel agent or call us directly at 866.397.6593 or email traveleradvisory@globusfamily.com (our U.S. office hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM MT and Saturday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM MT). We would be happy to address your individual concerns and/or answer any questions you may have one-on-one.

 

Thank you!

Avalon Waterways

[DrivesLikeMario]

Thanks for the heads-up. Sorry to hear it but unfortunately, the river is subject Mother Nature. ;)

[Ozjohnno]

I hope things change for the better soon. My sister and her husband have just left Amsterdam on the Scenic Pearl bound for Budapest. My fingers are crossed for her.

[stretchcruz]

Thanks, Avalon, for posting here. We have enjoyed our 3 cruises with you and anticipate more.

[JVilleGal]

CRUISE CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT: July 16, 2015

 

Due to low waters on a stretch of the Danube River in Germany, we have made the difficult decision to proactively cancel the 7/19 departure of the following itinerary: The Highlights of Germany (WPZ 50719) cruise aboard the Avalon Affinity. We are contacting all guests scheduled to depart on this cruise (and the travel agents who booked them) to offer a full refund, plus a future cruise credit allowance.

 

 

 

If you are traveling with Avalon Waterways on this specific departure or in the near future and have questions or concerns about your upcoming vacation, we invite you to contact your travel agent or call us directly at 866.397.6593 or email traveleradvisory@globusfamily.com (our U.S. office hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM MT and Saturday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM MT). We would be happy to address your individual concerns and/or answer any questions you may have one-on-one.

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

Avalon Waterways

 

 

Why did you remove this information from you Facebook Wall and it can not be located on your website ? This is serious!

[caviargal]

Why did you remove this information from you Facebook Wall and it can not be located on your website ? This is serious!

 

I wondered that as well.

[Avalon Waterways]

JVilleGal and Caviargal:

 

We appreciate your concern. We made the announcement (about what was a single cruise cancellation) on Facebook as well as Cruise Critic in an effort to get the word out quickly for all affected passengers. Thankfully, since then, we have had the opportunity to reach the affected passengers (and/or their agents). Given this fact, we did not see the need to continue to post the alert on Facebook. Should we have additional cancellations, we will continue our regular practice of offering updates both here and on Facebook.

 

Thank you,

Avalon Waterways

Edited July 18, 2015 by Avalon Waterways

[Avalon Waterways]

WATER LEVELS ON THE DANUBE: AN AVALON UPDATE

As we have previously reported, due to the lack of rain in Europe, water levels between Regensburg and Passau are low. To date, these water levels have caused one cruise cancellation (WPZ 50719 aboard the Avalon Affinity) and have affected one sailing day for the Avalon Vista (WBN 50712), now docked in Passau. We have also put in place contingency plans for the Avalon Expression, set to arrive in the region tomorrow (WNB 50718 and WNBO 50721). If you are scheduled on the cruise-only portion of the Legendary Danube itinerary aboard the Expression (WNBO 50721), we will be reaching out to you with additional information. We also invite you to contact us at 866.397.6593 or email traveleradvisory@globusfamily.com (our U.S. office hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM MT and Saturday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM MT).

 

The good news? Because the nature of rivers is to ebb and flow, much can change daily. Rain has been forecasted so we are all doing our best rain dances in hopes that more rain makes its way to Europe (specifically, the Danube) ... soon. In the meantime, we will provide additional posts on this page as needed.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Avalon Waterways

[biker1972]

The old Braves fans used to say: "Spahn, Sain and pray for rain". Now I just pay for rain in Europe and California :(. (Pitchers never go 9 innings anymore.)

[Di Princess]

Now I just pay for rain in Europe and California.

 

And, how much do you pay for the rain? I am really enjoying it today. Thanks! ;)

[Avalon Waterways]

WATER LEVELS ON THE DANUBE: AN UPDATE (7.20.15)

As we have previously reported, due to the lack of rain in Europe, water levels between Regensburg and Passau continue to be very low.

While the Expression was able to traverse the low waters (hooray!), two ships – the Avalon Vista and Avalon Impression – are currently operating under contingency plans and our on-the-ground teams are working closely with affected passengers. We also have contingency plans in place, should waters stay low, for the upcoming Avalon Illumination cruise (WOA/WOV 0722). We have reached out to affected travelers (and their agents).

The good news? Because the nature of rivers is to ebb and flow, much can change daily. Rain has been forecasted so we are all doing our best rain dances in hopes that more rain makes its way to Europe (specifically, the Danube) ... soon. In the meantime, we will provide additional posts on this page as needed.

Should you have any questions, call us at 866.397.6593 or email traveleradvisory@globusfamily.com (our U.S. office hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM MT and Saturday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM MT).

Thank you for your understanding and support.

[FuelScience]

This is the best site I've found so far for checking the Danube water levels.

 

http://www.deutsche-donau.com/News/Water-level-information

 

The most critical site appears to be Straubling, where the water is now about 131 cm deep (about 4'3").

 

http://www.hnd.bayern.de/pegel/wasserstand/pegel_wasserstand.php?pgnr=10074009

 

Ironically, we're not doing the Danube, but if Vantage's River Navigator doesn't make it through, things will be looking bleak for our upcoming Rhine/Moselle cruise.

 

FuelScience

[notamermaid]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Fuel Science.

 

The Rhine water level is falling, but the situation is nowhere near as bad as on the Danube.

 

notamermaid