HALIFAX — A palatial cruise ship described by passengers as a mini, moving city cast an impressive figure on the Halifax waterfront Thursday, breaking port records as thousands of tourists flooded into the city.

The Anthem of the Seas arrived in downtown Halifax under grey skies, towering over historic Pier 21 on the south side of the waterfront boardwalk.

The Port of Halifax says the ship was carrying about 4,180 passengers plus the crew and weighs a whopping 168,666 tons, making it the largest cruise ship ever to visit Halifax both in terms of its size and passenger capacity.

The Quantum Class boat has everything from bumper cars and roller skating to a circus school and four swimming pools, along with more than 2,000 staterooms.

Linda Jacobs, a retiree from New York state who was vacationing aboard the mammoth ship with her husband Ed Jacobs, said it took them a few days to get their bearings.

“It’s big. It’s big and confusing. But after a while you get used to it,” said Linda Jacobs on the boardwalk, adding that there are people from all over the world on the Anthem including China and Australia.

“It’s like a mini city,” said Ed Jacobs with a laugh. “There’s people from all different places, and we’ve talked to just about everybody.”

A round, mechanical capsule on the ship’s upper deck that lifts passengers 90 metres above the sea could be seen ascending into the fog on Thursday morning.

Onlookers were gathering in nearby parking lots and along the water’s edge to snap pictures of the massive vessel, which was built last year.

Inside the nearby Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, vendor Laura Mae of Osha Mae was anticipating an influx of customers just before the cruise ship passengers were scheduled to reboard the Anthem around 4:30 p.m.

Mae, an herbalist who sells handmade soaps and other aroma therapy products, said cruise ships do give her business a financial boost, but they also allow her products to travel to places around the world, including Ireland and Portugal.

“People will buy the product and use it for a few months at home, and it’s taking them back to their awesome time in Halifax,” said Mae, referring to the phenomenon of smells being linked to memories.

“It certainly has an impact on my business.”