The cruise ship season may have gotten off to a slow start in the Maritimes, but it is wrapping up with a big economic boom.

This week is the busiest for ports in Sydney, Saint John and Halifax.

Five cruise ships sailed into Halifax on Tuesday, bringing in 9,200 passengers and crews. By the end of the week, 30,000 passengers aboard 17 ships will have come through the Port of Halifax.

“Over the course of the cruise season, cruising in Halifax is worth $50 million for the local economy,” said Lane Farguson, a spokesperson for the Halifax Port Authority.

The ripple effect of that economic impact is felt beyond the initial port of call, with tour operators, restaurants and shops cashing in on cruise ship passengers.

“It’s just been flat out,” said tour operator Brian MacDonald. “I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

The cruise ship season was off to a rough start in Sydney. While bookings were up 15 per cent going into the season, eight ships had to cancel due to weather and mechanical issues.

However, things are back on track, with a ship expected to arrive almost every day from now until Oct. 29.

After a slow summer in Saint John, things have picked up this fall. Seven ships will sail into port over the next three days, with three ships making port on Wednesday.

“I’m having a great time,” said cruise ship passenger Joey Thielmann while visiting Saint John on Tuesday. “I didn’t expect the landscape to be so rocky and hilly like San Francisco up here in Canada.”

Port officials say many cruise ship passengers prefer to visit the Maritimes in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and the leaves are turning colour.

“It’s just beautiful, great weather, beautiful ocean, beautiful sights and great people,” said passenger Judy Keim in Halifax.

Robert Dykes visited Peggys Cove with his tour group Tuesday. He said he is already looking forward to returning and filling his sketchbook with more memories from the Maritimes.

“It’s very picturesque here,” said Dykes. “We have a very short time here. Wish I had more time.”

While the season has ramped up this fall, numbers are down overall in part due to new legislation.

All ships in Canadian waters are facing tougher air pollution regulations so some cruise operators have replaced larger ships with smaller vessels, resulting in fewer passengers.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Marie Adsett