Massive cruise ship means big business for Saint John

Saint John businesses welcomed nearly 4,000 passengers from the Liberty of the Seas, the largest vessel ever to call into the city.

The massive cruise ship has 15 decks, weighs more than 150,000 tonnes and is 338 metres long.

The Liberty of the Seas is so big, the Saint John port had to install an extra 200-tonne bollard to anchor the bow lines.

Betty MacMillian, the manager of cruise development for Port Saint John, said the extra engineering and the two years it took to plan the ship's arrivalwill more than pay off for the city.

"The pilots are working to bring the boat in, the tug boats are working, Lineman tying the ship up," she said.

"The economic impact goes so far."

The massive vessel is keeping people in the port busy. But the economic impact of the Liberty of the Seas's visitextendsbeyond the port.

Dozens of bus tours were parked next to the ship ready to bring visitors and their wallets to museums, local shops and restaurants.

The grey, overcast skies did not dampen the enthusiasm among Saint John merchants.

To capitalize on cruise ship customers, business owners operated a makeshift market right at the ship's entrance.

Gene Williams sets up shop specifically when cruise ships dock in Saint Johnto sell his family-made line of barbecue products.

"This year, what amazes me is, I've doubled my business so far," he said.

Mark Chase runs a souvenir shop in Saint Andrews but he also sets up by the ship.

"The cruise ships are wonderful for Saint John. The city just comes alive it's great for business, it's great for Saint Andrews, the whole area actually," he said.

The cruise ship will return for her last call to Saint John on Oct. 13.

The port authority says with the extra infrastructure in place, they look forward to welcoming even larger vessels.

In April, Port Saint John estimated that more than 120,000 cruise ship passengers would visit thecity in 2015.

The portsaid 60 ships are expected to dock this season, with 11 two-cruise ship days.