TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 26 -- At least three cruise ships bringing in over 1,000 foreign guests and crew members would make a stop in picturesque islands in Eastern Visayas this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office here announced Thursday.

The first to arrive is a ship owned by Silver Cruises with 382 guests and 295 crew members. It will make a port of call on Kalanggaman Island on Feb. 10.

"The cruise company requested to transform the setting of the island into a festival place. Everything is being paid for by the cruise company. They just pick a specific site to do this production," said DOT Eastern Visayas regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes in an interview.

Swan Hellenic Cruises will bring 152 tourists and 120 crew t...