Cruises during
Rhein in Flammen®
The gigantic spectacle at the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley captivates hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. On your journey from Koblenz to Spay, you will experience the majesty of the Middle Rhine Valley at dusk. During the return journey, the castles, palaces and mountains of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley are bathed in red flares, transporting the viewer into another world. At around 11 p.m., you will then experience the highlight of the evening:
You will be enchanted by superlative fireworks in front of the impressive fortress backdrop in Koblenz, bathing the Rhine Valley in a sea of lights.
Ship convoy canceled due to low water levels
Based on the current water level forecasts, the traditional ship convoy between Boppard and Koblenz must be canceled for safety reasons.
Water level forecasts for Saturday, August 8, 2026—the day of the “Rhein in Flammen®” event from Spay/Braubach to Koblenz—predict a historically low water level of between 6 and 10 centimeters at the Koblenz gauge. This would fall significantly below the safety threshold of 50 centimeters specified in the event contract.
The fire department, the water police and the Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) have jointly assessed the current forecasts. Based on their expert evaluation, a safe joint departure of the ship convoy from Boppard to Koblenz cannot be guaranteed under these conditions. Rhein in Flammen GmbH has therefore decided, in close consultation with the relevant authorities, to cancel the ship convoy at this time in order to provide all parties involved—especially the shipping companies and their guests—with planning certainty well in advance.
“We know that this decision is particularly disappointing for the guests on the ships. For many, the traditional ship convoy with fireworks along the route is a key part of the Rhein in Flammen® experience. However, given the exceptionally low water levels, there is no safe alternative to this. With the stationary event, we are at least enabling the registered ships to witness the closing fireworks display and the drone show on the Rhine. The safety of everyone involved is our top priority,” says Jochen Benekenstein, Managing Director of Rhein in Flammen GmbH.
Anchored Event in Front of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Instead of the ship convoy, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, a group of registered passenger ships will position themselves in front of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress according to the layout plan. The Rhine will be closed to boat traffic from 9:30 p.m. to midnight for this event. By approximately 10:45 p.m., all registered vessels must have taken their mooring positions. The drone show will begin at 11 p.m., followed immediately by the closing fireworks display in front of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
According to current plans, the fireworks displays along the route will also take place as scheduled.
For further information regarding the cancellation of the ship convoy, please contact your event organiser.