GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- A 780-foot cruise ship anchored in the Gloucester Harbor Monday, much to the glee of local business owners.

News Center 5's Shiba Russell reported that more than 1,000 tourists shuttled over to get a taste of the town that is well-known as the backdrop for the movie "The Perfect Storm."

The Holland Amsterdam drifted in early Monday morning. It is the first year that the cruise line has added Gloucester as a stop on its Montreal to New York loop.

The city rolled out a long welcome mat, complete with an Uncle Sam look alike.

"I have to tell you, we didn't expect this, and you keep doing this and you are going to have more people here than you can handle," tourist Ann Ake said.

"It's a different lifestyle than what we have at home -- the sea, the lobster traps, the fishermen, the people -- it's all different," tourist Boyce Ake said.

They shopped downtown, toured historic sites -- including Our Lady of Good Voyage Church and the Man at the Wheel Memorial, which is dedicated to all Gloucester fishermen lost at sea.

"You know, after 'The Perfect Storm,' Gloucester was loaded with tourists, but that was a while ago. Now, Gloucester needs to be reintroduced to people," tour guide Judy Eidelman said.

The reintroduction is certainly not bad for local businesses. It's estimated that just one of the cruise stops could pump tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy.