Three cruise ships carrying a total of 6,300 tourists are expected to arrive in San Diego today.
Holland America's Westerdam and Zuiderdam are each carrying around 1,900 passengers, while Princess Cruises' Star Princess has about 2,500 travelers aboard, according to the Port of San Diego. The ships are scheduled to dock in San Diego Bay at 6:30 a.m.
San Diego's cruise business has slipped in recent years because of the faltering economy and fear of crime in Mexico, even though the global industry is expanding. But in a presentation to the City Council's Economic Development and Strategies Committee earlier this year, Port Commissioner Lee Burdick said it would rebound in the coming years.
Each port call by a cruise ship results in an economic impact to San Diego of about $2 million, she said. Port officials estimate there will be 85 calls by cruise ships carrying a total of 270,000 passengers this year.
