Spice Girl Geri Halliwell heralded the news that a Kent cruise port will be the first port of call when a new cruise liner makes its inaugural journey.

Ginger Spice, now Geri Horner, delivered the news at a press conference last night that Dover Cruise Terminal will host Virgin Voyages's Scarlet Lady cruise ship, in February 2020.

Scarlet's s on-board events were showcased at the star-studded conference where it was learned the 3,500km long liner will set sail to the Kent coast from the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy.

When she arrives she will be hosting a number of exclusive events for First Mates, media and VIPs.

Sonia Limbrick, head of cruise at the Port of Dover said: "We are incredibly excited to be welcoming Scarlet Lady here for her first ever preview.

"Set amongst the wonderful backdrop of the White Cliffs (now maybe with a splash of red) and Dover Castle, the Port will undoubtedly give her the first class welcome she deserves."

Barbara Buczek, chief commercial officer at the Port of Dover added: "We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Virgin Voyages team, who are definitely making waves in the cruise industry.

"It’s fantastic to see their rebellious approach to creating a unique offer and we are delighted to be part of this extraordinary journey.”

The name Scarlet Lady refers back to Virgin's history - it is the name of one of the firm's first Virgin Atlantic planes.

Steel cutting began in March 2017. In February she underwent her first sail out, and she is yet to complete sea trials before setting sail ahead of her February 2020 visit to Dover.

According to the ship's builder, Fincantieri, she weighs about 110,000 gross tons.

In addition to Dover she'll stop off at Liverpool before heading to her home port of Miami.

Virgin Voyages’ first fleet will be known as the Lady Ships, a play on the term ‘your ladyship’, giving a nod to Virgin’s British heritage.

The company has four ships on order, due for delivery in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

During her inaugural 2020 season, the Scarlet Lady will sail a mix of Caribbean voyages befitting of any curious traveller’s tastes, with four and five night Havana After Dark itineraries featuring an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba; five-night Mayan Sol voyages to Costa Maya, Mexico and five-night Dominican Daze voyages to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

But she is not one for families - Scarlet Lady is for adults only.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover