Many tourists who had booked a river cruise on the River Rhine are currently seeing the Antwerp skyline unexpectedly appear in front of them. Due to the drought, the water level of the River Rhine is at an historic low, forcing shipping companies to adjust their routes. For Antwerp, this means increased demand for berths for river cruises. The city has already received 75 additional requests. The good news is there is still a berth available for everyone.
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Antwerp ahoy! Cruise ships head for Flemish port as Rhine flows shallow
Colin Clapson
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Shipping companies are being forced to adjust their sailing schedules because the water level of the River Rhine is too low. Antwerp, abreast the River Scheldt (Schelde), is also a well-established cruise destination, and is often seen as an alternative in travel plans.
Whilst river cruises usually book their berths one to two years in advance, City port Antwerp has been receiving new requests for short-notice arrivals daily since mid-July. “We’ve already received 75 requests so far, and new ones are coming in every day,” says Evelien Claes of the City of Antwerp’s press office. “The majority are new ships. There are also some shipping companies that are forced to extend their stay in Antwerp.”
Fortunately, there is still space available. “Despite the extra pressure, we can provide a suitable berth for every ship. This shows that we are not only an attractive cruise destination but that we can also respond flexibly to such unexpected situations. We are a good alternative should the Rhine suddenly become difficult to navigate.”
In July and August, around 150 river cruises normally call at Antwerp.