Mat McLachlan History Cruises

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Mat McLachlan History Cruises

The Three Battles – WWI, WWII & Waterloo: Netherlands and Belgium

Group Cruise

23 April 2027 from Amsterdam

8 Days
  • PRICE: per person, twin share
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: varies based on cabin type*
  • Solo traveller bookings are limited. Please enquire about availability with our team.
  • DEPOSIT: 10%
Explore the beauty of Holland and Belgium during tulip time while uncovering three pivotal chapters of history – Waterloo, WWI and WW2. Discover medieval Ypres and attend a special commemorative service at The Menin Gate.
BOOKING REQUEST

Tour Info

Itinerary

Inclusions

Pricing

Bookings

The Three Battles – WWI, WWII & Waterloo: Netherlands and Belgium

Travel with our expert Historian on an unforgettable journey through the picturesque waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium during the spring tulip season. This remarkable journey explores three of the most pivotal battlefields in history — Napolean’s last battle at Waterloo, the Ypres Salient on the Western Front of WWI, and Operation Market Garden — the audacious WWII airborne assault that filled the skies with thousands of Allied paratroopers, yet ultimately fell short — immortalised as “A Bridge Too Far”.

Attend a deeply moving commemoration ceremony beneath the majestic Menin Gate in the heart of medieval Ypres — where Allied forces served with extraordinary distinction during the Great War, and where local people and international visitors gather to honour the fallen.

This journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to walk the most significant battlefields in history, uncover incredible stories, and delight in the culture and beauty of this stunning region.

AmaSerena Overview

AmaSerena is a regal river ship with 81 staterooms and suites, designed for both social connection and personal retreat. From the cosy fireside library to the lively Main Lounge with its baby grand piano, and a Sun Deck complete with heated pool and giant chess set, AmaSerena maximises sweeping river views and balances refinement with character. Dining aboard reflects both regional flavour and culinary prestige. As a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs — the world’s oldest international gastronomic society — AmaSerena serves exquisite locally-sourced cuisine in the Main Restaurant and at The Chef’s Table, an intimate multi-course tasting experience. Your cruise includes all meals, a specialty coffee station, complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner on-board, a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour, Wi-Fi, and more.

Your Mat McLachlan History Cruises is fully escorted by an expert Historian with exclusive battlefield shore excursions and on-board history seminars. Mat McLachlan History Cruise guests also receive full complimentary access to AmaWaterways’ cultural shore excursions.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday, 23 April 2027 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Arrive in Amsterdam, the enchanting Dutch capital, and embark your luxury river cruise vessel from 4pm. After settling into your comfortable accommodation, join your expert Historian and fellow travellers for a welcome reception.

Your historian will provide an introductory briefing, setting the scene for the remarkable stories we’ll uncover over the coming days—from Napolean’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815, to the mud of Flanders during WWI, to the bridges of Arnhem in WWII.

Day 2 – Saturday, 24 April 2027 | Bruinisse, Netherlands

This morning, enjoy a leisurely cruise through the Dutch waterways. Later, arrive in the picturesque harbour town of Bruinisse, nestled in the heart of the Zeeland province. Take time to explore this charming fishing village, with its traditional Dutch architecture and peaceful marina setting.

Today, your Historian will present a seminar on the Allied forces who served in Belgium during the Great War, setting the stage for tomorrow’s pilgrimage to Ypres.

Day 3 – Sunday, 25 April 2027 | Ghent, Belgium to the Ypres Salient of WWI

Today we make our pilgrimage to the sacred ground of the Ypres Salient, where Allied forces distinguished themselves during the First World War. The Salient, that infamous bulge in the Allied lines, witnessed four years of devastating warfare.

After docking in Ghent, we will drive to Ypres. Our day begins with a moving 11am commemoration service at the Menin Gate Memorial. Following the service, we will enjoy free time for lunch in historic Ypres before exploring the former battlefields, visiting the Passchendaele 1917 Museum, standing in WWI trenches, seeing the cratered landscape at Hill 60 and paying respects at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. Throughout the day, your Historian will bring these hallowed sites to life, sharing the personal stories of courage, mateship and sacrifice. In the evening, we will return to Ghent and reboard our ship in time for dinner.

Day 4 – Monday, 26 April 2027 | Antwerp, Belgium – Waterloo Battlefield

Today we journey to one of history’s most famous battlefields—Waterloo, where on 18 June 1815, the fate of Europe was decided in a single day. Waterloo remains one of the most significant military engagements in Western history, where Wellington’s coalition forces finally ended Napoleon’s ambitions.

We’ll ascend the Lion Monument (Butte de Lion) for panoramic views across the battlefield, visit the comprehensive Waterloo 1815 Museum with its innovative displays, and experience the dramatic Panorama of Waterloo painting. At Hougoumont Farm, we’ll explore the chateau that became a fortress during the battle, whilst at La Haye Sainte we’ll learn how this strategic farmhouse changed hands throughout that fateful day. Your Historian will explain the tactics, personalities, and pivotal moments that shaped this decisive encounter between Wellington and Napoleon. We will return to our ship in time for dinner.

Day 5 – Tuesday, 27 April 2027 | Nijmegen, Netherlands – WW2 Battlefields

Our focus shifts to the Second World War as we explore the sites around Nijmegen, scene of fierce fighting during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. This ambitious Allied operation aimed to capture the Rhine bridges and open the route into Germany but faced determined German resistance.

We’ll visit the famous Nijmegen Bridge, immortalised in the film A Bridge Too Far, where British and American forces fought desperately to secure the crossing. At the National Liberation Museum in nearby Groesbeek, we’ll learn about the civilian experience during the occupation and liberation of the Netherlands. We’ll also pay our respects at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, where many Allied paratroopers and soldiers who fell during the operation are buried. Your Historian will explain how this daring airborne operation, despite its ultimate failure, contributed to the eventual Allied victory. We will return to our ship for dinner.

Day 6 – Wednesday, 28 April 2027 |. Dordrecht to Rotterdam – Arnhem and Band of Brothers

This morning we will explore the WW2 battlefields around Arnhem, the most famous site from Operation Market Garden. We will start at the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, where we will visit the British 1st Airborne Division’s headquarters and learn about Operation Market Garden through outstanding exhibits and personal stories. We will then visit the nearby Airborne Cemetery to pay our respects to over 1750 Allied soldiers, before driving to central Arnhem to see the John Frost Bridge – the famous ‘Bridge Too Far’ that was the operation’s ultimate objective. After lunch we will visit ‘The Island’ battlefield, made famous in an episode of Band of Brothers, and see where Easy Company of the 101st Airborne fought their famous ‘Crossroads’ battle. We will then drive to Rotterdam where we will reboard our ship.

Day 7 – Thursday, 29 April 2027 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

This morning we will depart Rotterdam and enjoy scenic cruising back to Amsterdam. On arrival, choose from a range of scenic excursions that explore this charming city. This evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner aboard our ship as we reflect on our journey through centuries of military history.

Day 8 – Friday, 30 April 2027 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Our journey concludes this morning in Amsterdam. After breakfast, disembark and bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Historian. Take with you the memories of sacred sites visited, stories shared and the profound experience of exploring places where history happened

Cruise Gallery

Cruise Inclusions

  • Services of an expert Historian throughout the cruise
  • Exclusive history seminars led by your expert Historian during the cruise
  • Attend a moving commemoration at the Menin Gate in Ypres
  • Explore the battlefields of the Ypres Salient with your Historian
  • 4 days of comprehensive, exclusive battlefield touring led by your Historian exploring Waterloo, WWI and WW2 battlefields
  • Complimentary access to Ama Waterways variety of cultural shore excursions throughout your cruise
  • Luxury accommodation aboard Ama Waterways’ AmaSerena in a stateroom of your choice. All staterooms include river views, individual climate control, an in-room safe, and choice of bed configuration
  • Complimentary WiFi aboard AmaSerena and access to on-board amenities
  • Welcome and Farewell Reception aboard AmaSerena
  • Gourmet dining aboard AmaSerena for all main meals, with complimentary hand-selected wines and local beers during lunch and dinner
  • Packed lunches for battlefield touring days
  • All tips and gratuities, port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees are included

AmaSerena Deck Plan

Pricing for stateroom selections

To discuss your stateroom preference and book your place on our History Cruise, please contact our team.

BOOKING REQUEST
Category
Description
USD Price Per Person
SS

Suite – French Balcony & Outside Balcony

300 square feet

*very limited availability

$US 9024
AA

French Balcony & Outside Balcony

235 square feet

*very limited availability

$US 7807
AB

French Balcony & Outside Balcony

235 square feet

$US 7634
BA

French Balcony & Outside Balcony

210 square feet

$US 7460
BB

French Balcony & Outside Balcony

210 square feet

$US 7286
C

French Balcony

170 square feet

$US 6765
D

Fixed windows

160 square feet

$US 5418
E

Fixed windows

160 square feet

$US 5375

Notes:

* Pricing is based on per person, twin share.

** Availability of stateroom categories can change, please speak to our team to discuss stateroom preference and live availabilities.

*** Single availability is limited; single supplements will apply and vary based on stateroom categories.

BOOKING REQUEST

On-board the AmaSerena

SEE 2027 HISTORY CRUISES