The trips will set off from Portsmouth and travel around the south coast, for those who want to enjoy the amenities of a cruise ship but don’t want to risk booking a trip abroad.

You can choose from two, three and four-night trips with a total of six sailings in August.

Visitors will board the Scarlet Lady, a brand new ship, which offers Michelin-inspired dining experiences, luxurious spa treatments, unlimited fitness classes, entertainment featuring local British talent, and an adult-only sailing experience.

The trips will only be open to UK residents and all those over 18 must have been vaccinated by the time they set off.

Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to sailing, in line with the most up-to-date recommendations from the UK government.

‘Virgin Voyages has been looking forward to sailing, and we’re so excited to announce our plans to sail from the UK,’ said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group. ‘Our team has curated such a fantastic experience for our Sailors and know this is a holiday they will love.’

Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages added: ‘After more than a year of waiting and a major emphasis on a safe return, we’re ecstatic to announce these new sailings and bring Sailors onboard to experience what it’s like to set sail the Virgin Way.

‘We look at our UK summer voyages as a homecoming to pay homage to our British roots, and what an excellent way to kick-off our sailing season before heading back to PortMiami.’

The Summer Soirée Series will officially be up for sale on Tuesday, April 13, with all details on the Virgin Voyages website.

It’s not the only UK-based cruise this summer.

Disney has also revealed it will run trips from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton.