Why I'd Think Twice Before Booking a River Cruise

A river cruise promises smooth sailing between Europe's great cities. Mine, though, came with some significant detours. Over two European river cruises, more than a quarter of my planned itinerary days were changed — routes blocked by low river levels, coaches substituted for cruising, and on both trips I ended the journey somewhere other than the destination on my original programme. This is the honest account of what actually happened. What the cruise lines told me, how the disruptions were handled, how they affected the experience, and the question I had to genuinely sit with when I got home: would I book a European river cruise again? If you're considering a river cruise on the Rhine, the Rhône, or the Danube, this is the context I wish someone had given me before I booked. Not scare tactics — just a first-hand account from someone who has now done this twice, with eyes open. #europeanrivercruise #rhinerivercruise #danuberivercruise #lowriverlevels #danube #rhine ******************** Welcome to the channel. I create travel videos for fifty-plus explorers looking for authentic journeys around the world — not just where to go, but what it actually feels like to be there. On this channel, you'll find in-depth explorations of cruises, road trips, railway journeys, flights, ferries, and border crossings. Each video digs into the real experience behind travel — the good, the challenging, and the unexpected. Whether it's a weekend break or a longer expedition, I'm interested in how places actually work, the stories behind destinations, and what travel reveals about us as we explore the world. New videos weekly. Subscribe if you're looking for travel that goes beyond the surface.    / @michaelhortin