Emerald Danube Cruise departing 7/7/23

[Laney50]

Our Emerald  Danube cruise leaves tomorrow, three days ago we were told we cannot dock in either Vienna or Bratislava but go direct to Krems and spend 3 days there traveling by coach to Vienna and Bratislava bad enough, but yesterday we were informed that we cannot pick up the ship at Regensburg but go directly to Passau and be driven back to Regensburg the next day for the tour, we are so disappointed.  Has anyone had problems like this and what is their compensation system. Thanks in advance.

[notamermaid]

Welcome to Cruisecritic. The ship's problems and the rearranged itinerary are to due with the low water on the Danube. The ship apparently cannot reach Regensburg. It is not something the companies shout about but will make clear that such alterations can happen, it should be in the small print of your contract. You may find info in there on getting money back if you miss ports but if you see the port on a coach rather than the ship you will most likely not get any money back. Low water is a natural and annual occurrence that is often so extensive that it interrupts an itinerary.

 

The company are familiar with it, have a plan B and normally everything sorted. You may be surprised by the fact that there is low water but your crew will be prepared! 🙂 Do talk to the cruise director on board if you have any further questions and get everything in writing that relates to the itinerary and refund.

 

Have a good trip and great time on the Danube despite the circumstances.

 

notamermaid

 

[Roz]

@Laney50, that has to be disappointing.  As @notamermaid already explained,  high or low water levels can be part of the river cruise experience. 

 

Per your cruise contract, there won't be any compensation for being bused to ports instead of sailing there.

[TriMomma]

When these low water level events ocurr, where do you sleep?   Do you always come back to the ship by bus?

[Roz]

Sometimes you're bused to a hotel. 

[gnome12]

32 minutes ago, Roz said:

Sometimes you're bused to a hotel. 

And sometimes you swap onto another ship of the same company. You pack up all your stuff, and while you are on an excursion your luggage is moved to the other ship, and you will be bused to the new ship and continue sailing from there.

 

And sometimes, if water levels are low over a fairly long stretch, the ship is uses as a floating (but moored) hotel and you keep coming back to the same place with longer and longer bus rides. This is the least pleasant possibility.

 

I don't know whether Emerald has enough ships in the right locations for a ship swap.

[TriMomma]

14 hours ago, gnome12 said:

You pack up all your stuff, and while you are on an excursion your luggage is moved to the other ship, and you will be bused to the new ship and continue sailing from there.

 

Holy Cow!   Do you get much notice?   I guess this means to pack lightly, just in case!