Predicting the Success of my River Cruise
Since August, I have anxiously been watching the Rhine river levels and hoping for the waters to rise. I google Rhein river levels and have gone on multiple sites, praying to hear good news. I stumbled on the River Water Watch site and now every week I receive an updated forecast with what percentage I can expect my specific river cruise will happen without alternatives to cruising. As my departure draws closer and the Rhein river doesn’t appear to be rising, I am now making my own alternate plans for the trip since River Watch predicts I have only a 25% chance of cruising the entire time. These updates have allowed me to prepare for the high probability that some of my river cruising will be replaced with busing. I like this site because it asks for your specific cruise line, the date and location from which you depart, and the length of your cruise. I feel like it is factoring in all information before making its prediction for my trip. As the region is not getting the predicted October rains, I have watched my percentages sink from 56% to 25%.
By Connie L.
Response from River Water Watch· Oct 17, 2026
Thanks Connie. We’re glad the updates have helped you prepare, even though the current outlook is not the news anyone wants before a cruise. One important thing to remember is that a 25% chance of sailing exactly as planned does not mean there is only a 25% chance of having your cruise. River cruise companies are very experienced at dealing with difficult stretches of river and can use ship swaps, different embarkation points, buses and other changes to keep trips moving when necessary. There is still time for the Rhine to change before you leave, so we certainly would not give up on the trip. We’ll keep watching the river closely and hopefully those percentages start heading in the other direction.