Three cruise ships will be visiting Wilmington in the next several weeks, according to a news release from the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The American Star, an American Cruise Line ship, will bring 100 visitors to Wilmington on Monday, docking at about 8:30 a.m. and departing in the evening.

Weather permitting, two Blount Small Ship Adventure cruise liners, the Grande Mariner and the Grande Caribe, will dock at Wrightsville Beach’s Bridge Tender Marina on June 13 and July 6 respectively, each staying a full day. The Grande Mariner is expected to bring nearly 45 passengers, while the Grande Caribe will bring more than 80.

American Cruise Line docked two other ships in Wrightsville Beach this past April and May. Historic downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach are becoming popular additions to cruise liners’ itineraries, including tours of local landmarks like Bellamy Mansion, the release stated.

Visiting ships play a large role in enhancing the local economy. Each passenger spends an average of $118 per U.S. port of call visit, according to a 2010 study by the Cruise Lines International Association. Each crew member spends an estimated average of $47 per visit, the study found.

Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the New Hanover Country Tourism Development Authority, noted that visiting ships have an economic impact locally and increase tourism.

“We welcome the ships and hope the passengers and crew will enjoy the history, charm and natural beauty of Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and our island beaches,” she said in the release.