VIKING ATLA

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More Danube Cruises Affected by Low Water Levels

At least 20 river cruises have been affected in Germany on the Danube and Elbe rivers after lower than normal water levels have forced some cruise lines to undertake complex logistical maneuvers to keep tours running. Viking Cruises has seen more than a dozen of its itineraries affected, and maintains an updated list on its website. In addition to "ship swaps" -- where the line undertakes a passenger exchange (usually via bus) between two ships positioned on either side of an impassable stretch of river -- at least one cruise has been more severely affected. Departure for the June 24 Budapest to Amsterdam northbound sailing on the Viking Atla longship was delayed by two days, according to the website. "This itinerary will begin with a two-night hotel stay at the Boscolo Budapest Hotel, as Viking Atla's sailing schedule has been altered by the river conditions and the ship will not be able to reach Budapest in time for embarkation," the statement read. For the June 24 sailing on Atla, Viking deployed representatives to meet passengers at the airport on arrival and stationed an agent at the original embarkation point near the Chain Bridge in Budapest. A Viking spokesman also told Cruise Critic that customer relations teams are communicating directly with all affected passengers about "the options that best suit the individuals, including continuing with the modified itinerary."