Mat McLachlan has confirmed his highly anticipated Signature River Cruise in September 2027 will take place on AmaWaterways’ brand new ship, AmaSofia, launching in Spring 2026.
The announcement means guests on the flagship Mat McLachlan History Cruise will be among the first to experience the luxury river vessel as it sails through Holland and Belgium, exploring WWI and WWII battlefields timed to coincide with major historical anniversaries.
Sailing on Significant Anniversaries
The September 2027 Signature Cruise has been carefully scheduled to align with pivotal moments in military history. Guests will explore the WWI battlefields of the Ypres Salient and the Menin Gate in Ypres on the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Menin Road, which involved Australian and New Zealand divisions. The cruise will then spend two days exploring sites from WWII’s Operation Market Garden over the very anniversary of the largest airborne operation in history, including visiting the famous ‘Bridge Too Far’. Mat McLachlan’s Signature Cruise will also uncover the places where Napoleon’s famous last battle took place in Waterloo, Belgium – a battle that truly changed the course of world history.
Additional 2027 History Cruises on New & Luxurious Vessels
Mat McLachlan’s Riches of the Mekong and Vietnam War cruise in August 2027 will also sail on a brand new AmaWaterways vessel, AmaMaya, launching in August 2026. As well as exploring the Mekong river and its rich and diverse history – including Vietnam War sites – the cruise offers a 5-day land extension to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh, Vung Tau and commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day at the Long Tan Cross on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
The Anzac Day 2027: Holland & Belgium cruise and D-Day Anniversary Cruise will also take place aboard luxurious AmaWaterways vessels, pairing AmaWaterways’ leading luxurious, all-inclusive river cruising with Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours’ expertise in historic storytelling and touring.
The Mat McLachlan History Cruises Difference
“Our History Cruises offer an experience you simply cannot find elsewhere,” explained Mat McLachlan. Key differentiators include:
- Fully escorted by expert Historians, available throughout your sailing to share knowledge, stories, discuss history and destination insights. Our Historians are published authors and battlefield specialists who truly bring history to life.
- Travel on incredibly significant historic anniversaries, with special commemorations to enhance the experience:
* Anzac Day 2027 Cruise will explore the WWI battlefields of the Ypres Salient on Anzac Day, participating in an Anzac Day service at the Menin Gate in Ypres.
* D-Day Anniversary Cruise will spend two days exploring the D-Day landing beaches (5 & 6 June) on the very anniversary of the landings.
* Mat McLachlan Signature Cruise will explore the WWI battlefields of the Ypres Salient and the Menin Gate in Ypres on the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Menin Road; spend two days exploring sites from WW2’s Operation Market Garden over the anniversary of the largest airborne operation in history, and explore Napoleon’s battlefield of Waterloo.
* Riches of the Mekong & Vietnam War Cruise offers a 5-day land extension which includes commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day at the Long Tan Cross on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan – Australia’s most famous Vietnam War battle.
