Iqaluit (July 17/06) - Nunavut Tourism says the 2006 cruise ship season is shaping up to be a busy one.

And to help local businesses prepare, the organization is sending out the summer's cruise schedule in advance, so tour operators, artists and the like can have their wares ready.

"When the people show up on your doorstep, you (want to) have them ready," said Brian Webb, Nunavut Tourism's marketing director.

And while the visiting ships won't be close in size to the world's largest cruise liners, which can carry thousands of passengers, most ships will carry between 50 and 180 passengers, Webb said.

Visitors typically shuttle from ship to shore by Zodiac.

"It's definitely an expedition rather than a luxury cruise, but that attracts people," he said.

But Tia Nukiwuak of Leelie Outfitting Services in Qikiqtarjuaq thinks the economic benefits of cruise visits are overstated.

The cruise ship passengers only stay a few hours and buy a few souvenirs, she said.

"There's zero economic benefits to us," she said. "I wish we could be more excited."

Kristiina Alariaq of Huit Huit Tours in Cape Dorset said her business won't see many changes from last year's cruise ship season.

"(But) it's good to have schedules" she said.

Webb said the number of cruise trips travelling through Nunavut waters will double this year to 22. Most of the stops are on Baffin Island - Resolute and Panniqtuuq are especially popular destinations - but there will also be a few stops in Cambridge Bay.

The first cruise ship, the Akedemik Ioffe, is slated to call on Iqaluit July 22.