The uptown a beehive of activity today with the port welcoming the first cruise ship of the season.
The Carnival Glory setting up anchor and bringing with it 3500 passengers.
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News it's exciting to kick off the season and the economic spin-offs of the cruise industry are being felt beyond the Saint John area.
He says businesses in Alma extended their tourism season by 3 weeks last year thanks to cruise ship visitors.
The 2011 season will bring 71 ships and over 200-thousand visitors to the city.
The Saint John Port Authority also kicking off a new tradition for the first ship of every season -- Port Chair Stephen Campbell giving the captain of the Carnival Glory a small telescope.