DOT Eyes More Expedition Cruises in Eastern Visayas

Posted on May 14, 2026 at 3:07 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — More than 80 guests aboard the luxury expedition cruise ship SH Minerva visited Digyo Island in Inopacan, Leyte on Wednesday, engaging in the local culture and traditional way of life in the island community.

Operated by Swan Hellenic, the cruise ship accommodated mainly tourists from Russia and Italy, as well as travelers from Brazil, China, and the United States.

During their visit, the guests observed local residents crafting products from romblon, a type of screw pine used in creating bags, mats, and hats. They also witnessed demonstrations on repairing fishing nets, producing dried fish, and collecting coconut nectar for making the local wine known as tuba.

The visitors had the opportunity to taste local delicacies such as kabkab, a cracker made from grated cassava that is sun-dried and fried, as well as puto binghoy and puto kutsinta.

Karina Rosa Tiopes, the Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas Regional Director, expressed her desire for more cruise ships to visit the region, particularly expedition cruises with smaller passenger capacities.

She emphasized the region’s commitment to providing visitors with memorable experiences that they will want to share.

Tiopes also expressed gratitude to Swan Hellenic for including Eastern Visayas in the company’s inaugural voyage to the Philippines.

In addition to immersing themselves in the local culture and cuisine, guests enjoyed swimming in Digyo Island’s turquoise waters and lounging on its white-sand beaches.

Digyo Island was the third Philippine port of call for SH Minerva. Prior to Leyte, the cruise ship visited Casulian Island in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and Bohol. The vessel is set to continue to Romblon province.

Digyo Island is part of the Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape in Leyte’s fifth district. The 3.5-hectare island is inhabited by a small community, most of whom are from nearby Apid Island. Other islands in the Cuatro Islas group include Mahaba and Himokilan.

Photo courtesy: DOT Eastern Visayas