Snap up a bear hunt bargain ... with Bear!

IF YOU’RE planning an escape for Christmas or an expedition next year, there are deals to be had on luxury cruises with an element of daring. Spot whales in the wild, stare in wonder at the Northern Lights or learn survival from adventurer Bear Grylls in my picks below.

CUNARD is celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s maiden season in Alaska next summer with famed adventurers as guest speakers. TV presenter Bear Grylls will be aboard the first cruise, sailing for 12 nights on June 8. Highlights include the Tracy Arm Fjord, where you may see orcas and spot black bears on the shores. Cruise-only fares for a balcony cabin start at £2,100pp (cunard.com).

If seeing the Northern Lights is top of your wish list, an expedition with Aurora Zone is for you. Dedicated to ‘Aurora hunting’, the holidays take place inside the Arctic Circle. On the Arctic Fjords And Northern Lights trip, sailing from and back to Tromso in Norway aboard 26-cabin Quest, you can also expect to see whales and seals. On-board experts lead adventures ashore including a husky safari and drinks at the world’s most northerly distillery. The cost of a fournight cruise, one night in a hotel and flights starts from £3,225pp, leaving January 20 (theaurorazone.com).

Fred Olsen is adding extra cheer to no-fly cruises this Christmas. Sail from Southampton on December 21 for 13 nights on a White Christmas In Norway cruise (from £2,199pp) or, for some sun, head south to the Canary Islands from Liverpool (from £2,399pp) or Portsmouth (from £2,099pp). Both Canaries cruises depart on December 22 for 14 nights and offer all-inclusive drinks worth £25pp per day – a hefty saving for merrymakers (fredolsencruises.com).

Get whacking discounts on European river cruises with luxury line APT next year if you book before the end of this month. On an allinclusive, two-week Magnificent Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest on November 8, 2023, business-class flights are included. Fares start at £3,295pp (down from £5,095pp) and also include activities at each stop: a cycle ride along the Danube, a private concert in a Viennese palace and a Grand Empress steam train trip through Hungary (aptouring.co.uk).