Severe drought has caused historically low water levels on the Rhine River, forcing river cruise operators to abandon planned routes to Switzerland and Germany.
Ships are now being rerouted to Dutch cities such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Enkhuizen.
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Extreme dry conditions for the third time in eight years have left key upstream stretches impassable.
This has severely disrupted both inland freight transportation, which handles about 40% of cargo, and tourism operations.
Cruise operators face daily operational adjustments as water levels continue to drop across upper river sections.
Passage into traditional destinations like Basel or Cologne has become impossible.
Captain Describes Exceptional Conditions
André Bruins Slot, captain of the river cruise ship MS Asara, described the situation as exceptional.
"This happens once every few years. And now the water level is getting very, very low.
If no rain comes, records might be broken," he said.
Navigation into higher elevation regions has become virtually impossible for passenger vessels due to shallow depths.
"Cologne is already not possible, the water is already too low there," explained Captain Bruins Slot.
Switzerland is completely inaccessible for river cruise liners under current conditions.
"You won't make that with the water level and the draft of the ship. The sailing schedule has to be adapted," he said.
Vessels have consequently altered their itineraries to navigate through the Netherlands and Belgium instead.
"We can represent the Netherlands extra well now. So I would say: off to the herring and the kibbeling," he said with a wink.
