Thousands of people are working 24/7 to renovate the 963-foot-long Carnival Legend cruise ship at Portland's shipbuilding and ship-repair company Vigor Industrial.



Over 12 days, about 700 Vigor employees and five cranes will prep the 144,000 square-foot hull and add five layers of new paint. They'll also overhaul the thrust propulsion system, rebuild the bow thrusters, do steel repairs and add new decking. Another 1,600 to 1,700 subcontractors from around the world will complete a variety of other renovations, including upgrading the bar areas, replacing and repairing waterslides, and adding new carpet.



The Legend, which arrived May 2, came to Portland to be serviced at The Vigorous, a massive 960-foot-long floating drydock that sits in the Willamette River off Swan Island. Vigor claims it's the largest drydock in the United States.



After an estimated $45 to $65 million in repairs and renovations, Vigor plans to set the Legend afloat Saturday night for testing and send it on its way Sunday.



In October, Vigor is expecting another Carnival Cruise Line ship, Imagination, for repairs.

--Mark Graves