Small Leyte island welcomes luxury cruise ship
Published May 7, 2026 12:14 pm
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Updated May 7, 2026 02:05 pm
SH MINERVA (DOT 8 FB)
INOPACAN, Leyte – More than 80 guests aboard SH Minerva, a luxury expedition cruise ship operated by Swan Hellenic, visited on Wednesday the quaint island destination of Digyo in this town.
The cruise guests — mostly from Russia and Italy, along with travelers from Brazil, China, and the United States — immersed themselves in the local culture by learning about the community’s way of life and traditional livelihoods.
During the visit, the group witnessed the art of weaving using romblon, a type of screw pine locally crafted into bags, mats, and hats. They also observed residents repairing fishing nets and demonstrating the process of making dried fish.
Guests were likewise introduced to the gathering of coconut nectar, the primary ingredient in producing the local coconut wine known as tuba.
The visitors sampled a variety of local delicacies, including kabkab — a cracker made from grated cassava that is sun-dried and fried, as well as puto bilanghoy (steamed cassava cake), puto kutsinta (steamed rice cake), bibingka (baked rice cake), camote cue, and biko (sticky rice cake).
Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes expressed hope that more cruise ships would visit Eastern Visayas.
However, she said the region prefers expedition cruises because of their smaller passenger capacity, which makes them easier to manage and allows for more meaningful cultural immersion.
“Expedition cruises have fewer guests, and they are more interested in immersion. We want fewer crowds so they can be managed more easily,” Tiopes said.
“We also hope that their visit to Eastern Visayas becomes an experience worth telling and retelling."
Tiopes also thanked Swan Hellenic for including the region in the cruise company’s maiden voyage to the Philippines.
During their stay in Digyo Island, the guests enjoyed not only the local cuisine but also swimming in the island’s turquoise waters and sunbathing on its white-sand shores.
Digyo marked the third Philippine port call of SH Minerva. Prior to arriving in Leyte, the cruise ship visited Casulian Island in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and Bohol. After Digyo, the vessel is scheduled to proceed to Romblon province.
The destination is part of the Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape located in Leyte’s fifth district. The 3.5-hectare island is home to a few settlers, most of whom come from nearby Apid Island. Other islands that form part of Cuatro Islas are Mahaba and Himokilan.