TUI and Viking warn of disruptions and itinerary changes to European holidays

River cruise holidays across Europe face disruption this summer as prolonged heatwaves and low rainfall push water levels down on major routes. Viking River Cruises and TUI both warned customers that itineraries may change, pointing to recent incidents in which ships ran aground. Viking said the Viking Einar went aground on the Rhine in Cologne, Germany, on June 29 with about 190 passengers aboard. Another vessel, the Viking Ullur, ran aground on the Danube in Bulgaria on July 27, and all 186 passengers were rescued. Viking is monitoring conditions and may modify select itineraries, using “ship swaps” to move guests and luggage to identical sister ships.