PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship arrived at Port Canaveral for the first time before noon on Tuesday, as the New York-based ship brings cruise passengers to the area to enjoy Central Florida.
The 18-deck Norwegian Cruise Line ship, which entered service in April, will stop at Port Canaveral every Tuesday through April 2014, as part of its seven-day voyages that also make two stops in the Bahamas.
[PHOTOS: Norwegian cruise ship arrives in Port Canaveral]
The Breakaway is a relatively large ship, with a double-occupancy capacity of 4,028 and a crew of 1,595.
That means a lot of people ready to stop in Central Florida and spend some money.
"We wish we had more time, but this is what it is," said one father as he looked at his two sons heading to Universal Studios aboard a chartered bus. "Got to make it back to the boat, right boys?"
Other passengers are choosing to spend their money closer to the ship, surfing in Cocoa Beach, spending the day at the Kennedy Space Center or shopping along the Space Coast. That translates into an economic boost for this area, which has been struggling over recent years.
Four-thousand passengers, every week through April could mean more businesses starting up, as well, to cater to the new tourists.
Already, Port Canaveral's new observation tower is set to open. Soon, it will be surrounded by an open air market added to the restaurants and clubs that already dot the waterway.
The cruise line hopes to possibly launch one of their ships from the port again, soon, as they are wrapped up in a battle with Miami, where they currently house one ship.