Two river cruise ships were involved in separate collisions in Europe last week. And one of them was caused by something that should never happen on the water — a drunk captain.
Here's what we know.
What Happened On The Rhine
On March 29, a cargo vessel slammed into a Dutch river cruise ship called De Zonnebloem on the Rhine near Wesel, Germany.
The crash happened in the early morning hours. The cargo ship hit the cruise vessel hard enough to punch a large hole through the hull. The damage was so bad that the ship couldn't continue its journey.
There were 149 people on board at the time — 69 guests, 65 volunteers, and 15 crew members. Fortunately, no one was injured.
But the ship itself? It's going to be out of service for months.
The Captain Was Drunk
German police tested the cargo ship's captain after the crash. He tested positive for alcohol.
He was taken in for a blood test and is now facing criminal proceedings. He's also been banned from continuing his voyage.
Driving a cargo ship while intoxicated. On a busy European waterway. It's hard to wrap your head around.
This Wasn't Just Any Cruise Ship
Here's the part of this story that really stings.
De Zonnebloem isn't your typical river cruise ship. It's built specifically for passengers with physical disabilities. The ship is fully equipped with medical facilities and accessibility features that you won't find on a regular cruise.
For many of the guests on board, this wasn't just a vacation. It was their only realistic chance to travel.
A spokesperson for the organization said the loss of service would affect hundreds of travelers who rely on the ship for their trips. The ship normally runs 40 weeks a year and carries around 2,800 guests annually, along with an equal number of care volunteers.
All upcoming trips have now been cancelled. Passengers were transported back to the Netherlands using accessible transport services.
A Second Crash Happened That Same Week
On Monday evening, a river cruise ship called the Junker Joerg collided with a fuel barge called the Argonaut in Poland's Szczecin Lagoon, near Chelminek Island.
The crash tore a large hole in the cruise ship's port bow. The fuel barge took some above-waterline damage but didn't suffer hull penetration. Both vessels managed to reach a pier in Szczecin on their own.
Once they docked, medical teams were called in. Eight people had minor injuries. An 84-year-old woman suffered head and hip injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Four medical teams responded to the scene.
What Investigators Are Looking At
German authorities believe alcohol was the main cause of the Rhine crash. That case seems pretty clear-cut given the positive test.
Polish authorities are still gathering evidence on the Szczecin Lagoon crash and haven't pointed to a specific cause yet.
Both countries have opened formal investigations.
What This Means For Cruise Travelers
Most river cruises go smoothly. Collisions like these are rare. But they do happen, and this week was a reminder that the stakes on the water are real.
If you're planning a river cruise in Europe, it's worth knowing that incidents on the Rhine and other major waterways do get investigated seriously. Captains are held accountable. Regulations exist for a reason.
The passengers on the Zonnebloem are safe. But the people who were counting on future trips? They're the ones who'll feel this the most.
