A day after docking in Yarmouth, residents had a chance to explore the Nova Star on Wednesday.

Those involved in the tourism industry say they are pleased with the new ferry that will bring visitors to southwestern Nova Scotia.

“It’s really amazing to see how big it is,” said Daniel LeBlanc, who helps to organize the Festival Acadien de Clare.

“This is just a great opportunity for people to come discover everything in the province and especially our French-Acadian culture.”

The 161-metre vessel arrived in Yarmouth Tuesday after a month-long, 16,000-kilometre journey from Singapore, where it was built.

The Nova Star will offer a cruise-ferry experience for passengers, making daily round-trip crossings between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine. The trip lasts about 10 hours.

The ferry can carry 1,215 passengers, 220 cars and 70 commercial vehicles.

“Their vacation will begin when they get on the Nova Star and when they get to Nova Scotia, it’s going to be a continuation of their vacation,” says Mark Amundsen, the president and CEO of Nova Star Cruises.

The ferry is equipped with nautical-themed sleeping cabins, several dining halls, pubs and an art gallery – all supporting local businesses in Nova Scotia and Maine.

The ferry will also have a casino and spa, which will be installed once the ship arrives in Portland.

Area residents and business owners hope the ferry will give the region a much-needed economic boost.

“When we watched the boat come off the harbour yesterday, there were cheers, smiles and tears,” says eco-tour guide Becky Cottreau. “It’s a very big thing for this area.”

“This ferry represents hope here in southwest Nova Scotia,” says Roger d’Entremont, who works at le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Ecosse.

“Since the Cat has left, tourism has been on the decline.”

The province cut funding for a previous ferry called the Cat in December 2009. D’Entremont says 35 per cent of visitors to his historic site were from the United States when the Cat was in service.

He says that number dropped below 10 per cent when the ferry’s funding was cut.

“This is hope that we can get those numbers back and I’m very, very impressed with this ship,” says d’Entremont.

The provincial government has committed $21 million over seven years to support the ferry service.

Ottawa announced it will spend up to $2.5 million to upgrade the ferry terminal and customs annex building.

Officials say they hope to welcome 100,000 ferry passengers into Nova Scotia this year, although they remain tightlipped about the number of fares sold so far.

The Nova Star will leave for Portland Wednesday evening, where the rest of the work will be completed.

The maiden voyage from Portland is set for May 15, arriving in Yarmouth the next morning, with crossings continuing until November.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Suzette Belliveau