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Christmas comes but once a year? Not according to Saga Cruises, where guests have two chances to mark the festival with visits to some of the best traditional markets in Europe, but be quick because Christmas cruises are selling out fast!

The December 2018 cruises on Saga Pearl II – one to Bremen and Hamburg, and the other to Oslo and Copenhagen – are sailing back-to-back so Christmas cruise lovers can extend their trip and join both for that little extra festive magic!

Saga’s Festive Hamburg Cruise visits Germany’s uniquely atmospheric markets on St Nicholas’ Day itself, December 6, when the nation’s children traditionally receive their gifts, and Bremen becomes a sea of twinkling lights as more than 170 decorated stalls are arranged around the 15th-century town hall, with street entertainers, carollers and local craftsmen that really bring the spirit of Christmas to this stunning town.

Hamburg’s largest square features spectacular trees and traditional carousels, as well as stalls filled with Tyrolean woodcarvings, gingerbread, pottery and crafts from across Germany, while visitors can refuel with hot glühwein at a riverside beer garden.

The Christmas cruises will be among the last aboard the Saga Pearl II, and in Bremerhaven guests can see the future of Saga cruising with the new 999-guest luxury ship, Spirit of Discovery, under construction from observation galleries at the Meyer Werft shipbuilding centre.

Six nights from ‡ £753, departing from Portsmouth on December 4, 2018.

A must try for guests on the Scandinavian Festive Delights cruise include Gløgg, a Norwegian variation of mulled wine, sometimes imbued with vodka, and is often the central heating of choice whilst strolling around Oslo’s Christmas markets. One of the biggest is in Eidsvoll Square, with its elegant parliament building, an ice rink, gingerbread workshop, choir and, for an evening top-up, a bar made entirely from ice.

In Copenhagen, the Tivoli Gardens funfair becomes a winter wonderland and stalls on Nyhavn waterfront offer sugar-roasted almonds, pancake puffs, and more gløgg!

The return journey will be especially nostalgic for Saga Pearl II’s crew as she makes her final transit of the 98km Kiel Canal, the world's busiest man-made waterway.

Seven nights from ‡ £1,107, departing from Portsmouth on December 10, 2018.

For details visit saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises or call 0800 50 50 30.

Prices includes UK travel package to and from Portsmouth, all meals and entertainment, choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free wifi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount passenger has own insurance.

Price based on two people sharing an inside guarantee cabin where guests receive their cabin number shortly before sailing (or at embarkation) and not at the time of booking. You cabin may be located anywhere on the ship and twin cabins may have two single beds or one double bed. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for details. Fare was correct at the time of going to print and is subject to availability and change.