by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:30 AM ET, Sat June 6, 2026
To honor the anniversary of the D-Day landings in
Normandy on June 6, Mat McLachlan History Cruises announced its inaugural D-Day
Anniversary River Cruise aboard AmaWaterways' luxurious AmaLyra.
The eight-day, Paris-to-Normandy sailing along the
Seine through France is scheduled to depart on June 3, 2027, and will be fully
escorted by an expert historian with two exclusive days exploring the D-Day
landing beaches.
"There's something profoundly moving about
standing on the ground where history happened — and exploring with an expert
Historian is what truly brings it to life," Mat McLachlan History Cruises
founder Mat McLachlan said. "Our D-Day Anniversary Cruise does exactly
that."
"We'll walk the landing beaches, sail the Seine,
and uncover the full story of Operation Overlord on the very ground — and the
very anniversary — that it unfolded," McLachlan continued. "It
promises to be an extraordinary journey."
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1: Thursday, June 3 - Paris Embark AmaLyra. Welcome
reception. Historian briefing on the strategic role of the Seine River valley
in the 1944 Liberation of France.
- Day 2: Friday, June 4 - Les Andelys Sail past the
dramatic chalk cliffs and ruins of Château Gaillard. Richard the Lionheart's
"Saucy Castle." On-board seminar on the German occupation of Normandy
and the planning of Operation Overlord.
- Day 3: Saturday, June 5 - Le Havre. Full day on the
American D-Day beaches. The airborne capture of Sainte-Mère-Église, Utah Beach,
Pointe du Hoc, and the bloody landings at Omaha Beach.
- Day 4: Sunday, June 6 - Le Havre to Caudebec. D-Day
Anniversary Commemorations. Moving anniversary service at the Normandy American
Cemetery on the 83rd anniversary of the landings.
- Day 5: Monday, June 7 - Rouen, the medieval capital of
Normandy. Joan of Arc. Monet's Gothic cathedral. Historian commentary from
William the Conqueror to Rouen's role as a German logistics hub in WWII.
- Day 6: Tuesday, June 8 - Vernon / Giverny Monet's
world-famous gardens at Giverny. Château de Bizy. Historian commentary about
Vernon in WWII, and Monet in WWI.
- Day 7: Wednesday, June 9 - Paris. Historian's stories
of Paris under occupation and the dramatic liberation of the city in August
1944. Farewell dinner.
- Day 8: Thursday, June 10 - Paris Disembark after
breakfast.
Pricing
Mat McLachlan History Cruises' D-Day Anniversary River
Cruise aboard AmaWaterways is priced from $6,781 USD per person, twin share.
Stateroom categories range from fixed window cabins to French Balcony suites.
Single supplements apply.
Inclusions
- Expert Historian escort throughout the cruise
- Exclusive history-themed shore excursions (2 full days
on the D-Day beaches)
- Exclusive on-board history seminars
- D-Day Anniversary commemoration service at the Normandy
American Cemetery
- Luxury accommodation aboard AmaLyra in a stateroom of
your choice with access to all on-board amenities
- All main meals with complimentary wine and beer at
lunch and dinner
- Packed lunches on battlefield touring days
- Welcome and Farewell Receptions
- All tips and gratuities, port taxes, embarkation,
disembarkation and lock fees
- Complimentary access to all AmaWaterways shore
excursions
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