Make it a Christmas to remember this year, with an 11-night Antarctic cruise departing on 17 December. Thanks to the immense running costs and high-spec nature of the ships, trips to this polar region are seldom discounted, so we were impressed to find this offer from Quark Expeditions for £4448 per person -- a £1483 saving on the regular price.

This is a rare chance to set foot on the world's southernmost continent and get up close to some of the region's incredible wildlife.

The deal includes:

• Accommodation in a Twin Window cabin
• Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Shore landings and excursions
• Professional expedition leadership including educational presentations

After boarding your ship, the Ocean Diamond, in Ushuaia, Argentina, the voyage begins by crossing through the Drake Passage before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula. From here, there are daily shore excursions enabling you to walk around this incredible landscape and look for wildlife, including penguins, humpback whales and leopard seals. Click here to see the full itinerary.

Valid for travel on 17 December.

The Ocean Diamond is a modern super-yacht that can accommodate up to 189 passengers. All cabins have exterior views and ensuite facilities. There are also flat-screen TVs and DVD players in each room.

International flights are not included but you can search for cheap flights to Ushuaia using Fly.com. Quark Expeditions can also arrange flights as part of your booking.

If you want a longer adventure, Quark Expeditions has a 20-day trip that also takes in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia for £6090 per person, departing on 3 November.

For more details on all trips on sale, click here.