Stunning new cruise ship that can carry 3,930 people is biggest ship to dock in Portsmouth

Billionaire Richard Branson’s impressive new Virgin cruise ship docked in Portsmouth for the first time this week.

The impressive luxury cruiser is larger than a Royal Navy aircraft carrier and can accommodate over almost 4,000 passengers and crew.

It’s the biggest ship ever to have dropped anchor in the city and passers by were amazed by the 110,000 tonne spectacle, reports The Sun.

The giant Virgin Voyages vessel is called the Scarlet Lady and has space for a total of 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew members.

It has a total of 1,408 passenger cabins and 813 crew cabins for a maximum capacity of 4,400 passengers and crew.

Among the cabins there are 78 suites, 1,030 balcony cabins, 95 window cabins, and 105 inside cabins. The vessel is equipped with balconies on 86% of its cabins, with 93% of them featuring an outside view.

The ship is the largest ever to have come to Portsmouth (Virgin Voyages)

Cabins include mood-matching lights and a configurable Seabed, and suites also have stunning marble bathrooms, spacious stargazing terraces, champagne tables and come with exclusive wellbeing treatments.

The ship's livery consists of a silver hull, red funnel, and tinted windows, and also includes the Virgin "mermaid guide" figure featured on sister brands, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America.

The spectacular liner also boasts 17 decks, a length of 277.2 metres (909 ft), a draft of 8.05 metres (26.4 ft), and a beam of 41 metres (135 ft).

The suites have large windows and balconies as well as champagne bars (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

The cruise itself is adult-only - exclusively for over 18s - and even has its own tattoo and piercing parlour on board.

Guests can pay up to £1,325 per night to enjoy its 20 restaurants, swimming pools, spas and fitness centre.

Cabins are all high-tech and come with mood lighting (Virgin Voyages)

Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port’s director, said: “The eyes of the world will be on Scarlet Lady’s debut, but there is no better harbour than this one, famous for its legendary maritime journeys.

“It will be a spectacle like no other as the distinctive Scarlet Lady sails through the spectacular harbour entrance, we can be sure sailors and crew will experience a warm Portsmouth reception.”

Residents were excited when the ship landed at Portsmouth docks and were keen to get a first look (PA)

“Our team has curated such a fantastic experience for our sailors and know this is a holiday they will love,” added Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group.

“Virgin Voyages has been looking forward to sailing, and we’re so excited to announce our plans to sail from the UK.”