Bargains to get you on board for National Cruise Week

SHOP IN COLOGNE OR KOBLENZ Stock up on Christmas goodies in the markets of Cologne and Koblenz during a short cruise with eWaterways (0808 168 1458/ewaterways.co.uk).

Book by September 30 and you’ll receive a cabin upgrade (subject to availability) plus a bottle of wine.

Offer applies to four- or five-night Mainz-Dusseldorf cruises taken between November 28 and December 15. Prices from £315pp.

Shearings (0844 209 7143/ shearings.com) is offering £100pp off the cost of a seven-night break booked during National Cruise Week.

Departing on December 21, you’ll travel by coach, with a night’s hotel accommodation en route, before joining a Rhine cruise, calling at Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne, with their popular Christmas markets. Prices from £799pp.

EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA Save £2,400pp on Hurtigruten’s (0844 448 7601/hurtigruten.co.uk) Christmas expedition to Antarctica if you book during National Cruise Week. The 17-night cruise departs on December 19 and now costs £5,987pp, including return flights from London.

Closer to home, save £300pp on a Norwegian cruise. The Classic Voyage South is now £1,360pp, including return flights, for January, February and March 2014 sailings.

SPEND TIME IN THE WEST INDIES Grab a last-minute holiday with Royal Caribbean International (0844 493 2061/royalcaribbean.co. uk) and you’ll be rewarded with sun, sea and $100 (£63) onboard credit.

Offer applies to select sailings booked during National Cruise Week for departures before the end of 2013. A saving of 45 per cent on brochure prices can be made on a 30-night cruise to the West Indies from £1,699pp or save 40 per cent on a mini-cruise to Antwerp for £149pp.

Both cruises depart Tilbury, Essex, in November and December respectively, on Cruise Maritime Voyages’ (0844 414 6185/ cruiseandmaritime.com) ship Marco Polo. Offers apply to bookings made by October 31.