NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – The largest ship ever to pay a port call in New London docked early Saturday, bringing up to 1,800 tourists to southeastern Connecticut attractions.

Residents from throughout the region lined the shore to watch the Explorer of the Seas steam slowly up the Thames River, make a 180-degree turn opposite Fort Trumbull, then steam stern-first into the berth.

Business leaders, city and state officials, and many area residents said Saturday they hope its 12-hour stop will be the first of many such visits.

They called it a potential economic and tourism boon for New London businesses and surrounding attractions, many of which offered tour buses to the ship’s passengers.

In an area where people are accustomed to seeing submarines, large ferries and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Barque Eagle, several onlookers said the arrival of the Explorer of the Seas was even more impressive.

The 1,020-foot-long vessel, which is operated by Royal Caribbean International, weighs 138,000 tons. Its height makes it taller than the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.

“It’s so enormous,” Clancy Susi, 7, of Waterford, told The Day of New London. “At a far distance, I thought it was a hotel in the water.”

His 13-year-old friend Matt Johnson, who also was watching the ship’s arrival from Fort Trumbull State Park, couldn’t help but speculate about its interior: “I wonder if they have a mall in there,” he said.

Although the ship does not have a mall, it has many other features: an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, mini golf course, full-size basketball court, science lab, several restaurants, a casino, spa and fitness center.

Connecticut tourism officials estimated about 1,800 passengers would disembark the ship to visit the region’s attractions, restaurants and shops.

The Stonington-based Connecticut Cruise Ship Task Force started work in 2002 to attract more cruise ships to New London’s port, and has been planning details of the Explorer of the Seas visit for months.

Task force officials say eight cruise ship visits already are scheduled for next year, including ships from the Holland America line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.