PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, which carries 3,646 passengers, sailed into Port Canaveral on Wednesday to considerable fanfare from community leaders.

It's the second of four big cruise ships that will call Brevard County home and could help solidify the Space Coast's role as one of the world's key cruising ports.

Miami-based Carnival also operates the Sensation out of Port Canaveral.

The Dream replaces the Carnival Glory, which made its last cruise out of Port Canaveral on Nov. 14 and will sail out of Miami, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

The Carnival Dream's arrival follows the May 4 entrance to Port Canaveral of Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. At 154,407 tons and with accommodations for 4,375 passengers, the Freedom of the Seas was the world's largest operating cruise ship until Royal Caribbean's Oasis -- 5,400 passengers -- made its way to South Florida on Sunday. The Oasis begins cruises out of Miami on Dec. 5.

In 2011, Disney Cruise Lines will bring a ship, also called the Dream, to Port Canaveral. The Disney Dream will accommodate 4,000 passengers. The following year, Disney's Fantasy, also built for 4,000 passengers, sets sail from Port Canaveral.

The Carnival Dream, which cost $860 million, and the other large cruise ships are a major benefit for Port Canaveral, said those involved in the cruise industry.

"The impact of a ship like this just spreads out all over the economy," Larry Jackson, co-owner of Cruise Holidays of Viera, said.

Jackson added that cruise companies are taking notice of the drive-to-the-port market, which is a big part of Port Canaveral's cruise business. People come from all of Florida, as well as Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and other regions, to cruise from Port Canaveral.

"I think the significance of these ships coming in is that the industry is showing a commitment to homeporting ships in what I consider to be drive-destination ports," Jackson said.

On Sept. 18, the Carnival Dream, boasting three swimming pools, a miniature golf course and spiral waterslide, left the Italian shipyard where it was built for its inaugural cruise, a 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyage.

The ship then made a transatlantic crossing from Rome to New York City for a two-day cruise and a pair of eight-day Caribbean voyages from the Big Apple.

To begin service from Port Canaveral, the Carnival Dream will leave for a one-time, nine-day voyage on Dec. 3 before launching year-round, seven-day, Caribbean service Dec. 12.