The 999-passenger ship is due to be officially named next Friday (5 July) by the Duchess of Cornwall, who will be Spirit of Discovery’s godmother.

The ship is one of two new sister vessels being built for Saga at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany – the second, Spirit of Adventure, which will also have capacity for 999 passengers, is scheduled to enter service in 2020. The new ships will cost Saga more than £600 million.

Both ships have been specifically designed for the UK market, and Spirit of Discovery will feature more than 400 contemporary works by British artists.

Saga Travel chief executive Robin Shaw said: “We have unashamedly focused on the fact we are a British cruise line.

“We have designed the new ships with a focus on British contemporary design classics, with the vision of creating Britain’s first boutique hotel at sea. But these hotels are able to take Saga guests to interesting and exciting destinations around the world.

“Both ships will have a bold and adventurous style that’s a testament to high-quality design and the best of British innovation and flair.”

Saga Cruises chief operating officer Nigel Blanks and Iain Powell, Saga Travel’s head of trade sales, will answer agents’ questions about new ship during a TTG Facebook Live event on Wednesday, 3 July, onboard Spirit of Discovery during a two-night trade sailing to Bruges.