More than 14,000 visitors will pass through the Port City on five cruise ships this week.

Monday and Tuesday are both double-ship days and another ship visits on Thursday.

Natalie Allaby is the cruise development manager for Port Saint John.

During the pandemic, Allaby said they examined the passenger experience both inside and outside the terminals and made a number of changes, including the addition of the Welcome Crew.

“A group of individuals that are in the terminals on cruise ship days for the mornings and their job is to greet the passengers. We have a brand new map that we give out to them,” Allaby said.

Allaby described the paid 15-member Welcome Crew as a melding of the former meet and greet teams and an Envision Saint John tourist information booth.

“They are really just meant to be that smiling face and to help with wayfinding around the terminal and to direct [cruise ship guests] them to various attractions in uptown Saint John,” Allaby said.

Port Saint John said it expects to welcome its 3-millionth cruise ship passenger later this month.

We love double cruise ship day! Both the Carnival Magic and the Norwegian Joy make their inaugural stops Port Saint John today. Wishing all passengers and crew a great visit to our region! @CarnivalCruise @CruiseNorwegian @PortSaintJohn#cruise #portcity #thechambersj pic.twitter.com/ay3mTpyceL

— The Chamber SJ (@TheChamberSJ) September 12, 2022