Record High Temperatures, Low Water... the Future of Cruising in Europe, and other Cruise News

All the talk this summer has been about… summer. 

This is the traditional high season for travel to Europe. But Europe is warming up faster than any other continent. 

Talk about disruption. This year, heat and drought records have been shattered across the continent, resulting in:

• Historic - and I mean non-existent – low water levels on Europe’s major cruising - and shipping! rivers; and
• Record high temperatures (in regions without any historic need for air conditioning.) 

This is the worst year – but not the first year – for water levels especially to have an impact on travel. There have been five consecutive years of disrupted navigation due to low water levels on Europe’s most popular cruising rivers.  And that’s not the only impact hotter summers have had on travel.

Cruise travel in Europe is undergoing fundamental change. How are hotter summers affecting river cruises and ocean cruising? What’s the future of travel in Europe for those of us who love cruising? There’s even a new term: ‘Coolcations.’

Some hard facts – and some of my ideas and opinions – in this edition of our newsletter. 

What are your thoughts or questions about cruise travel this summer? 

Send us a note at worldsgreatestcruises@gmail.com

Two more pieces of GOOD news: 

• A welcome and overdue milestone for the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy, France.
• And  I attended the launch of a new river cruise ship and a whole new river cruise line: Transcend Cruises. You’ve never seen a river cruise ship like this. More to come!

Stay cool, and if you’re traveling, safe and happy travels this summer. 

And as always, wishing you fair winds and following seas. 

Lynn Elmhirst, 

Executive Producer and host, World’s Greatest Cruises