Speaking at the Clia conference on Thursday (16 May), Virgin Voyages chief executive Tom McAlpin said the ship would visit the UK “next March” and could visit "more than one port".

The move was confirmed in a tweet by Virgin Voyages UK sales director Shane Lewis-Riley.

“We will bring [first ship] Scarlet Lady to the UK next year,” McAlpin told delegates. “I won’t say where, but she will be in the UK next March.”

McAlpin added the line “may bring her [Scarlet Lady] to more than one port”.

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson also made a surprise appearance at the event to reveal more details about the line’s plans.

In terms of future destinations for Virgin Voyages, Branson said he liked the idea of taking the brand to the Far East, Scandinavia and Australia, as well as the Mediterranean, Mexico and the Caribbean.

He added the ship’s interiors were in the process of being fitted.