As part of a five-year partnership between Holland and Saga, the ex-Squeeze musician and Later… with Jools Holland host will play a series of gigs for passengers in 2019.

The first of his confirmed appearances will be a Channel Island Hop cruise departing July 23, 2019, a Gourmet Spain itinerary, sailing on August 3 and a Natural Scandinavia sailing beginning on August 17.

He will also endorse one of Spirit of Discovery’s three speciality restaurants, The Club by Jools, inspired by the cabaret lounges of the 1950s.

The venue will offer a variety of steaks as well as live music and cocktails with resident and guest musicians performing.

Spirit of Discovery – Saga’s first new-build vessel – is due for delivery next summer.

Saga said the ship’s inaugural sailing beginning next July had sold out in “record time” with further itineraries during its maiden season “well ahead of expectations”.

A second new-build, Spirit of Adventure, will join the Saga fleet in 2020.

Nigel Blanks, Saga Cruises’ chief operating officer, said: “Our decision to bring two new boutique cruise ships to the market by 2020 will be truly transformational for us as a business.

“We want the onboard entertainment to reflect this and we are delighted to be able to announce Jools Holland as our first ever endorsed onboard venue, The Club by Jools.

“I have grown up watching Later… with Jools Holland and many of our customers have too. His love of eclectic music really does transcend the generations and we will use this inspiration to bring something genuinely new and different to our steakhouse and late night bar on the ship.”

Holland added: “There is nothing better than listening to live music in a small, intimate setting where you can really connect with the artists and their music.  Food and music are two of my greatest passions and it’s great that Saga is combining the two.”