PORTLAND — Six cruise ships — including two making maiden visits — carrying more than 12,000 passengers and 5,000 crew members will tie up in Portland next week as the season kicks into high gear.

On Sunday, the Jewel of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean, will arrive with about 2,100 passengers. It will continue to Bar Harbor after spending the day in Portland.

On Wednesday, the Carnival Glory will arrive with 2,974 passengers and then head to New Brunswick at the end of the day.

Thursday, the Norwegian Jewel will make her maiden call on Portland with 3,000 passengers aboard. Because it is the ship’s first stop in Portland, it will be greeted by Mayor Nicholas Mavodones and the captain will be given a key to the city, lobsters and a plaque. The ship will head for New York after a day in Portland.

Friday, the Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden call on Portland. The ship, which entered service last year, is the second-largest ever built by the Cunard line and carries 2,092 passengers. It will receive the same welcome as the Norwegian Jewel and leave for Bar Harbor at the end of the day.

The Independence, home-ported in Portland, will return Friday and then begin another eight-day cruise along the Maine coast on Saturday. It carries about 98 passengers.

Finally, on Saturday, Enchantment of the Seas, another Royal Caribbean ship, will arrive with 2,250 passengers. It will head to Bar Harbor after stopping in Portland.

For the season, which wraps up at the end of October, 65 ships carrying a record 92,000 passengers are expected.