Around 200 passengers on a luxury river cruise were forced to welcome the New Year in unexpected circumstances after their ship became stranded on the Danube River due to exceptionally low water levels.
The incident involved the river cruise ship Nicko Vision, which ran aground overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday while sailing towards Bratislava. Local authorities confirmed that passengers were not in danger, but falling river levels meant there was no immediate way to re-float the vessel.
The 135-metre-long ship had departed Passau, Germany on 26th December as part of a festive Danube itinerary.
Guests had already experienced disruptions earlier in the cruise, including being transferred by coach to Budapest before later re-joining the ship to continue their journey towards Slovakia, where they were scheduled to spend New Year’s Eve.
Low Water Levels Leave Ship Stuck on Riverbed
Authorities said the Danube’s water level in the affected area had dropped to around 23 centimetres below normal and was continuing to fall. The unusually low water is believed to have exposed a gravel section of the riverbed and may also have shifted a navigational marker, contributing to the grounding.
Although no injuries were reported, efforts to free the ship proved unsuccessful. A river tug was dispatched on Wednesday in an attempt to release Nicko Vision, but the attempt failed as water levels continued to decline.
With no immediate solution available, passengers and crew chose to make the most of the situation, holding a gala-style New Year’s Eve celebration while still stranded mid-river.
Passengers Evacuated on New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day, officials decided to evacuate passengers from the ship. However, the low water levels made it too risky to bring another cruise vessel alongside Nicko Vision.
Instead, authorities positioned a barge next to the stranded ship, allowing 211 passengers to disembark safely. They were then transferred to Viva Two, operated by Scylla Cruises, to continue their journey.
The 46 crew members of Nicko Vision remained onboard the grounded vessel. Local officials noted that the public holiday made it more difficult to mobilise additional resources quickly, though further attempts to refloat the ship are planned.
Authorities cautioned that if water levels continue to fall, Nicko Vision could remain stuck for an extended period.
Low Water a Growing Challenge for River Cruises
The incident highlights the growing challenges faced by river cruise operators, particularly during winter months when fluctuating and increasingly unpredictable water levels can severely disrupt itineraries.
Low water conditions on major European rivers such as the Danube and Rhine have, in recent years, forced cruise lines to cancel sailings, reroute passengers by coach or, as in this case, temporarily strand vessels.
Indeed, there are reports that several other river cruise ships were impacted over the festive season, particularly around the Passau region, including at least one Saga river cruise ship.
While the New Year’s Eve celebration aboard Nicko Vision was memorable for all the wrong reasons, passengers were ultimately able to continue their holiday, even as the stranded ship awaits a change in river conditions that will allow it to sail again.
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