Halifax will once again see thousands of cruise-ship passengers this year, with some coming specifically to visit the graves of those who perished after the sinking of the Titanic.

The Port of Halifax released its preliminary schedule for 2012 on Wednesday, which includes visits from two Titanic-themed cruise ships.

Marking the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the Azamara Journey will visit Halifax for the first time on April 12 as the first vessel of the season, while the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral will make an overnight stay on April 16.

“Halifax is certainly on that Titanic theme,” said Cathy McGrail, manager of cruise development at the Halifax Port Authority, noting the victim’s graves at the Fairview Cemetery and the anniversary exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Typically a day-trip destination, this year Halifax will be the starting point for a number of vessels, said McGrail.

The port is expecting to see between 235,000 and 245,000 passengers, she said.

 “We’re looking at another strong season and anticipating that it will be very similar to last year,” said McGrail on Wednesday, adding the port saw about 243,000 passengers in 2011.

Disney Magic will makes its inaugural call to the region in June, its first of nine stops of the season, a news release said. To have Halifax inked on the Disney Cruise Line itinerary is a great opportunity to showcase the region, McGrail said.

She said six ships will be docking at the port for the first time before the season wraps up on Oct. 30.