The Port of Saint John will open its 29th cruise season on April 27 with Holland America Line’s Veendam, with what the port said was an early start in a prepared statement.

The port is expecting 66 ships total, and about 144,000 passengers, it said.

“Our 2017 cruise season is similar to 2016 in terms of ships and visitors” says Jim Quinn, president and CEO of Port Saint John. “This shows a stabilization of our cruise traffic and is great news for Southern New Brunswick and its many tourism-related businesses. We are also looking forward to an even better 2018”

Highlights include 12 double-call days, four triple-call days and a single maiden call from the Vision of the Seas.