Ups and Downs:

How Water Levels Can Affect River Cruising 

and 

Why It's Not the End of the World

Mother Nature is the Ultimate Boss on the Rivers

Everyone knows that hurricanes can upset Caribbean travel plans. Well, just like this can happen with ocean cruises, nature occasionally sets the pace for river cruising as well. Seasonal water levels—especially during particularly wet or dry periods—can sometimes affect itineraries on any river. What's more, these variations can be at any time of year, even during a season where you might expect the opposite.

I've experienced high water on the Upper Danube at the end of the summer when you'd expect the risk to veer toward drought and low water levels. I've had low water on the Lower Danube in June, when you'd think that the spring rains would still be keeping things on schedule. And I've experienced serious low water problems in late October in Central Europe, which is typically a rainy time of year! As much as we'd like to depend on seasonal averages, aberrations can and do happen.

Fortunately, experienced river cruise operations teams have become adept at managing these challenges. Adjustments might mean docking slightly outside a planned port or using comfortable transfers to reach a destination, or even a change of a port and a few excursions. But it's never the first time for these hiccups, and every company has a Plan B. In June we had a port change in Southeast Europe, which affected the excursion choices on our first full day, but I honestly loved the "substitute" visit to Pleven, Bulgaria.

Even with adjustments dictated by Mother Nature, guests continue to enjoy relatively seamless experiences. In many cases, such flexibility leads to unexpected discoveries and extra time in charming, less-visited towns. If changes to the planned itinerary become major deviations, companies will usually offer some form of partial compensation or future cruise credit. They will also typically assist with arrival or departure logistics and expenses if these locations change. But honestly, on the occasions where water levels interfere are only a small percentage of the overall number of river cruises running at any one time, and major problems are not very common at all.

However, I recently experienced a significant disruption during my October trip to Europe. My original itinerary on the Riverside Debussy became impossible, as the ship could not even reach any port near our embarkation point. Enter the creative problem solving skills of all the best river cruise lines.

Thus, dear reader, we were transported from the Debussy to her regal big sister, the Riverside Mozart. You have heard me sing the praises of the AmaMagna (the crown jewel of AmaWaterways, and one of my biggest sellers) as being a truly special ship because she is twice as wide as all the others. Well, there actually is one other ship in that category, and it's the Riverside Mozart.

So what was it like on the Mozart? 

Just the name--Riverside Luxury Cruises--tells you right up front that it strives to be a cut above. There’s something unmistakably serene about gliding along the Danube aboard the Riverside Mozart, a ship that truly feels more like a boutique hotel than a river vessel. With its wide beam and generous proportions, the Mozart offers some of the most spacious accommodations on Europe’s rivers—an instant reminder that this isn’t an ordinary cruise.

The staterooms and suites are a highlight in themselves: elegantly furnished, thoughtfully designed, and whisper-quiet even as the ship moves between ports. During my fall cruise, large windows all over the ship provided a wonderful frame for the glorious autumn scenery in the Wachau Valley; marble bathrooms, plush bedding, and attentive touches make each cabin a cozy retreat. It’s an ideal balance of luxury and comfort—refined but not fussy. Lower deck cabins have very large fixed windows and upper deck cabins have sliding doors (French balconies). Because of the inconvenience we tolerated, we were upgraded and had a beautiful stateroom with French balcony and even a small sofa.

Dining aboard the Riverside Mozart is another pleasure entirely. Guests can choose from several venues, from the elegant Waterside Restaurant to the relaxed Atelier Bistro, a small aft café (Blue), and, in the summer, the open-air Vista Grill on the sun deck. The culinary program emphasizes fresh, regional ingredients, often sourced from the very towns the ship visits. Menus change daily--and dinners on Riverside were the most like a true restaurant as compared to any other line I have sailed. Breakfast and lunch buffets were elaborate and gorgeous, backed up by great flavors and variety. Wine pairings are thoughtfully chosen, and service throughout is gracious yet unpretentious—hallmarks of Riverside’s hospitality. The all-inclusive package includes some fantastic regional and international wines, and the sommeliers were incredibly helpful and attentive as I tried to make my way through the list. 

Equally impressive is the staff, whose warmth and professionalism define the onboard atmosphere. Our butler Marko was always checking to see if we needed anything, from room service to reservations for a special Austro-Hungarian tasting dinner at Atelier. The Guest Experience team took care of both the front desk as well as overseeing the excursion operations, and there was always a member of the ship team joining guests for excursions (in addition to excellent professional guides). This is a slightly different setup than other lines, and I liked it. If I had questions, answers were procured. Ultimately, guests are assured of personalized service delivered with genuine charm.

When you’re not dining or exploring ashore, the Mozart provides plenty of ways to unwind. The ship features a serene spa and wellness area with a sauna and small indoor pool, a nicely-equipped fitness room, and inviting lounges perfect for reading, socializing, or simply watching the river drift by. In terms of the fitness opportunities, there are several active excursions such as hiking or biking (weather permitting), but no dedicated wellness host or exercise classes as you would find on AmaWaterways. Due to the changes we experienced, we were each provided with a credit that could be used on the ship--and I put mine toward an Indian head and neck massage.

The lounge was terrific. The wine list, as mentioned, was stellar, and the craft cocktails were to die for. There was no way I could make my way through all of the creative concoctions, but over the week onboard I did manage to try a half dozen, and taste a few of my travel companion's, too. If you're a fan of botanicals, you'll never want to leave the bar.

We had two very good onboard music performances, but for the most part entertainment was low-key, by the house pianist Angel. River cruises are not where you go to see big shows on board, but I did miss having the local folk dancers that some other lines my have brought onboard for a performance one evening.

What about the Excursions?

To be honest, I was a bit sad about the excursions I was missing on a mainly German itinerary with new ports for me. Instead, I found myself revisiting a few favorites on the Danube--but with some delightful experiences that I had not anticipated, thanks to Mother Nature's whims.

If you know me, you know I love classical music. The first winner here was a visit to St. Florian monastery, near Linz. This is a site deeply associated with composer Anton Bruckner, and I was very excited to finally see the beautiful abbey, and to pay my respects to the tomb of Bruckner. The tomb is actually located in the crypt but below the massive "Bruknerorgel" that Bruckner himself played, and we also were able to hear a concert of music on that mighty organ, with pieces by Bruckner and others. I actually had tears in my eyes because this experience was so incredible!

The other highlight was (surprise) also music- and art-related. Vienna's Belvedere Palace (home of an impressive array of Austrian art in a stunning baroque setting) was open just for us in the evening! Our guide Gabriela, a Kilmt expert, made me reflect entirely differently about the elements and body language of his famous painting "The Lovers" (aka "The Kiss"). Following a short 45-minute highlights tour, we attended a private concert with a 10-piece chamber orchestra and two excellent singers. Being more of a hard-core classical music lover, I am normally a little skeptical and jaded when it comes to what I call "tourist concerts" in Vienna and the like. But this one was absolutely high-quality and really enjoyable. Yes, a few of the pieces were standard rep for this genre, but many others were not. This variety combined with excellent musicianship really impressed me.

I also had the chance to return to Cesky Krumlov and visit (during our free time) the Egon Schiele Art Centrum, which had been closed the last time I was in the town.

Last but not least, I was glad to visit Regensburg, another destination I hadn't had the chance to see before. Our guide was actually one I had encountered before--in addition to being a terrific source of knowledge on Danube destinations, she's a singer, who will always sing a bit for her guests. My favorite part was going to Wurstkuchl--the oldest continuously-operating fast food outlet in Europe, or so they claim. We stood in line for a few minutes to get a freshly grilled sausage roll with sauerkraut and a secret recipe mustard. I'm not a big sausage fan but it was so delicious!! At the end of the day, we were each gifted a jar of the mustard to take home.

Want to try Riverside with me in May?

I will be on the Rhône River in southeast France in mid-May 2026, aboard the Riverside Ravel. This will be a terrific itinerary for the foodies out there--imagine exploring the charming villages and towns of French wine country, nicely paired with the top-notch culinary experience of Riverside. If you'd like to join me, please reach out for stateroom availability and pricing. I'm not trying to round up an official group--this is just a casual opportunity to sail with me as I continue to research this company. (And we'll hope that Mother Nature cooperates better with this one!)

Updates on the 2026-2027 Small Groups Calendar 

🎵 MUSIC GETAWAY to Los Angeles with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Guild: April 23-27, 2026. This trip is on a space available basis only at this time.  For the brochure, click here.

🍺 PICTURE-POSTCARD GERMANY via the Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers, July 8-15, 2026: Please visit the dedicated web page here. My other clients are welcome to join this trip now.

🪗 DANUBE cruise with Alan Walling, of the band AlpenMusikanten: July 20-27, 2026. Learn more here and contact me for current pricing and availability.

⛩️ CITY BREAK DOUBLE DATE, September 19-October 4, 2026: Next year's installment in this popular series will be a week in SHANGHAI paired with a week in SEOUL. You may do only one city or both (and there are nonstops from DFW). Check out the brochure here and snag a spot today with your deposit. If you have delayed signing up, please consider doing it today so we can confirm this trip as soon as possible.  Destinations must reach their minimum thresholds by the holiday season, that being six guests per city; otherwise one city or both may not run. If you've been waiting, now is the time to pull the trigger. Your reservation may be the one to officially confirm that the trip runs!

🎁CHRISTMAS MARKETS on the Rhine🎄, December 10-17, 2026:  No one does the holidays like AmaWaterways and the ship is almost full! Review the itinerary here and contact me for pricing details and available cabins.

🐫 SECRETS OF EGYPT & THE NILE, Dec. 30, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027: Treat yourself to three nights at the Ritz-Carlton Cairo, a seven-night Nile cruise on the AmaDahlia, and a final night back in Cairo. Are the pyramids on your bucket list? Travel with other Mon Voyage clients to this eternal destination. Plus, the Grand Egyptian Museum is finally opening! Reach out with any questions and read more here.

ENGAGE MON VOYAGE FOR YOUR PRIVATE PLANNING

The Mon Voyage private planning calendar is filling up for 2026. My best availability at this time is for planning your September through December 2026 trips. I may be able to shoehorn in a few other requests for earlier times of the year, but don't delay!

À la prochaine,