Eastport is preparing to welcome eight cruise ships for visits after Labor Day. That’s about half as many as last year’s record but could top it in the number of passengers. Four others were slated to visit but had to change plans when Customs could not provide agents to clear passengers and crews into the United States.

So far, I’ve found seven of the expected ships.

• September 3: Enchanted Princess, 1,083 feet length, 18 decks, 4,500 maximum passengers, 1,346 crew.
• September 17: Roald Amundsen, 459 feet, 530 maximum passengers, 160 crew.
• October 5: Zuiderdam, 936 feet, 1,964 maximum passengers, 817 crew.
• October 13: Volendam, 778 feet, 1,718 maximum passengers, 647 crew.
• October 14: Azamara Journey, 594 feet, 781 maximum passengers, 408 crew.
• October 15: Viking Mars, 748 feet, 938 maximum passengers, 465 crew.
• October 27: Le Champlain, 430 feet, 264 maximum passengers, 112 crew.
• Next year is already shaping up to be more active.

The visits have boosted the local retail season for many merchants, especially after the Summer People have retreated to their usual haunts.