Viking Elegant Elbe 9/30/16

[H2Oregon]

Hello JVilleGal,

 

indeed, things not looking good on the Elbe. Dresden is at 72cm this morning, Dessau at 84cm. Temperatures are very high for this time of year, no significant amount of rain forecast for the next three days.

 

notamermaid

 

Thanks for the river updates. We booked the first cruise in November on the Astrild after seeing the problems with low water last year. Figured that there should be plenty of water in November. Not so sure now. Hopefully the weather will change soon.

[CPT Trips]

I can only tell you that early November, 2015 (and months prior) was low water for the Elbe. At least GCT had time to get their logistics in place for our non-cruise cruise bus tour. :rolleyes:

[notamermaid]

The federal institute of hydrology issued a report on 6 September concerning the low water situation on German rivers. This does not bode well, seeing that they only issue a report when there is a need. Their findings in a nutshell are an overall lack of rain for this Summer (statistically compared to other years), the Elbe suffering the most, with the Danube starting to show problems while the Rhine is still sort of o.k. While most of Germany has profited from Spring water feeding the rivers through rain and snow from the mountains, the East has had no such abundant water supply. Therefore the Elbe started into the dry Summer with a "disadvantage".

 

Their prediction is for falling levels to the middle of this week. The next report will likely be issued this coming Thursday.

 

Viking River Cruises on their website has kindly updated the next impacted sailings and changed the wording to reflect the low water situation more clearly: http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/my-trip/about-my-cruise/current-sailings.html

 

Expressed in numbers: Dresden is at 71cm, Dessau is at 81cm.

 

notamermaid

[notamermaid]

Dresden ist 67cm this morning, Dessau at 80cm.

 

notamermaid

[AggiePilot]

notamermaid,

 

Been away for a few days and really appreciate your comments and messages from others who have been on the Elbe River. Does not look promising. I see Europe and even the UK are having unusually warm weather and not much rain. Similar to our situation in Texas a couple years ago. Last year and this year has seen quite a lot of rain. Went to Viking web site to see their latest report and see they are putting up more detail. We embark on Oct 2nd so does not look good.

[TravelerThom]

Currently showing ship swaps in Wittenberg and Dresden. Is there any cruising at at all? How long are the bus trips? What is being omitted. Is it really worth going on this cruise? Cruises for 9/1 and 9/8 for the Schumann and Fontane have been cancelled. Are they refunding or issuing cruise credits? Are they giving priority to re-booking? Lots of questions as time grows near...hope for rain!!

This thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2402235

contains info on a Viking offer ($1000 Future Cruise Credit [i think for either cancellation or bus tour, but maybe only bus]) to someone scheduled for the Elbe (not clear exactly when, but shortly).

 

Thom

[notamermaid]

Thank you for the link, TravelerThom.

 

Aggiepilot,

 

there is a substantial amount of rain going down over the East of Germany including the Elbe region today. The water level at Dresden is 81cm, Dessau is 81cm, as well. The latest report by the institute speaks of the rain easing the current low level situation for a few days. For unimpeded sailing the Elbe needs more than a few centimetres extra, though. At least day trips on the paddle steamers would be possible with just an inch more...

 

notamermaid

[worldtraveler1234]

Viking cancelled 9/22 sailings for both older ships today. The 2 newer ships are being used as floating hotels in Dresden and Wittenberg. It looks like Viking is waiting 5 days prior to announcing cancellations. This is kind of close considering the pre trips and all of the ciaos of pre travel. We are on a 9/30 older ship cruise that they have stopped selling as of today. It would be better if they just announced the cancellation so we could make plans.

[notamermaid]

After an initial rise and peak yesterday due to heavy rainfall the water level at Dresden is falling again today and is now at 114cm. The peak has not reached Dessau yet, which is currently at 96cm. Still, better than it had been. Will it mean sailing for the next scheduled departures? Not sure... The Elbe definitely needs a more continuous supply of water from bother further upstream in the Czech Republic and rainfall in the area of the river itself and its tributaries for three or four days.

 

notamermaid

[H2Oregon]

Thanks for the update. Hopefully the rain will continue. Maybe the cruises will be able to continue soon.

 

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[JVilleGal]

Can someone remind me when the last boat actually sailed on the Elbe? Or when Viking was able to sail?

[krillsister]

We leave tomorrow for our cruise on Beyla which embarks on Sunday the 25th. As of today no ship swap is mentioned. Keeping fingers crossed and saying lots of prayers.

[AggiePilot]

krillsister, We embark Beyla on Oct 2nd. Would appreciate any info you can post during your cruise. Thanks AggiePilot

[AggiePilot]

notamermaid, Thanks for the update. Thought the forecast looked promising, but like you say, need a few more days of rain. AggiePilot

[notamermaid]

As promised some more info from the Elbe as regards water levels. As of this morning 9.45am local time: Dresden 83cm, Wittenberg 124cm, Dessau 108cm.

 

notamermaid

[AggiePilot]

notamermaid,

 

Appreciate the update. We leave USA tomorrow for 3 days in Berlin prior to embarking on Sunday Oct 2 aboard Beyla. Just checked the Viking Updates on sailing and they still have the low water and possibility of modified itineraries and say those affected have been notified individually but so far no contact from Viking so maybe things are looking good for that cruise. Again thanks for your posts.

[notamermaid]

Hello Aggiepilot,

 

it looks tentative. Perhaps you have a way of being contacted by Viking or might like to contact them yourself if you do not feel like being surprised by the situation. I think you board in Magdeburg where it seems to look a little better right now than upstream.

 

The latest official report with the title "No significant change to the low water level situation" indicates that the rise in water levels on the Elbe was just temporary and as the warm weather persists with little rain due to fall in the next three days the levels are likely to fall again.

 

The report says that the Elbe river has seen less than average waterflow since April resulting in the low levels now (well at least for the last month). There just has not been enough water over the last few months to feed the river both from the Czech Republic and the region itself.

 

Figures this morning: Dresden 89cm, Wittenberg 124cm, Dessau 108cm.

 

Have a safe trip and a great time in Berlin, followed by a hopefully full itinerary on the river.

 

notamermaid

[notamermaid]

Hello worldtraveler1234 and Aggiepilot,

 

I think you are both on a boat or about to board. I hope you are having a great time in the East of Germany despite the water level problems. Things are up and down with som rain bringing some relief to sections of the river for a day or two.

 

Here are the current levels: Dresden 77 cm, Wittenberg 166 cm and Dessau 129 cm.

 

Any further levels I will post in the thread where krillsister is reporting from a cruise: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2406448

 

notamermaid

[AggiePilot]

notamermaid,

We were going to board in Magdeburg but again to low so we will now board in Wittenberg, had a good time in Berlin even with a bit of rain. Thanks for your messages.

 

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