Eastern Visayas' bets on placing the region firmly on the map as a cruise destination is beginning to pay off, local officials said.
This, as Department of Tourism (DOT) officials announced that three more luxury cruise ships are set to visit island destinations in the region next year.
The first ship of Swan Hellenic Cruises of the United Kingdom will visit Cuatro Islas in Leyte in May 2027, carrying 160 passengers, DOT Eastern Visayas officer-in-charge Rina Apostol said in an interview with local media.
In June, Heritage Adventurer, a Portuguese cruise ship, will bring passengers to key destinations in Calbayog City and Paranas, Samar.
French cruise line Compagnie du Ponant will visit Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte and Cuatro Islas in Leyte in September, carrying 280 passengers.
“Eastern Visayas has emerged as a prime destination for international expedition cruises. Passengers want to experience culturally immersive shore excursions focusing on ecotourism, local heritage, and authentic coastal experiences,” Apostol said.
Cruise calls have brought economic opportunities to island destinations that are less attractive to traditional tourists because of the limited availability of hotels and restaurants, she said.
In July, key tourism stakeholders conducted assessments in various destinations across the region to determine their readiness to receive cruise passengers.
The assessments were conducted by TravelPeople Ltd. Inc., with assistance from the DOT Eastern Visayas regional office, provincial tourism offices, and municipal tourism offices.
Among the sites assessed were Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Sto. Niño, Almagro, Paranas, and Basey in Samar; the island towns of Capul and Biri in Northern Samar; Oras in Eastern Samar; Inopacan and Hindang in Leyte; Limasawa in Southern Leyte; and Caibiran in Biliran.
“These sites may not be included in the 2027 cruise calls, but they will be included in our international cruise tourism promotion,” Apostol added.
Eastern Visayas has emerged as a preferred destination for expedition-style cruise itineraries, with recurring calls from luxury and boutique cruise liners.
Regular cruise calls have been recorded at destinations such as Kalanggaman Island and Cuatro Islas in Leyte, as well as Capul Island, Biri Island, and Lavezares in Northern Samar; Maripipi Island, Sambawan Island, and Higatangan Island in Biliran; and Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte.
(With report from PNA)
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