Musician and TV presenter Jools Holland is to become the face of a live music venue on board Saga Cruises’ new ship Spirit of Discovery.
‘The Club by Jools’ restaurant and bar will be inspired by the great cabaret lounges of the 50s with Holland performing a number of live gigs.
He is initially set to appear on board on departures on July 23, 2019; August 3 and August 17.
The Club by Jools will be one of the new build ship’s three speciality restaurants, specialising in serving steak, while also offering live music and cocktails in the evenings, with resident and guest musicians entertaining until late.
The ship is due for delivery next summer with its inaugural sailing in July selling out in record time and further cruises booked well ahead of expectations.
A second ship, Spirit of Adventure, joins the fleet in 2020 with a “phenomenal number” of customers already pre-registering to be among the first to hear about its inaugural cruise season, according to the company.
Saga Cruises chief operating officer Nigel Blanks 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 on-board entertainment to reflect this and we are delighted to be able to announce Jools Holland as our first ever endorsed on-board 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 said: “I’m delighted that Saga is dedicating a space on the new ship for live music which is something that is very close to my heart.
“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 are combining the two.”