Furious passengers on a luxury Antarctic cruise have staged a hunger strike after engine troubles forced the cancellation of the highly anticipated Antarctic leg of their journey.
The voyage, aboard Swan Hellenic’s SH Diana, was abruptly changed when a faulty propeller bearing rendered the ship unsafe for navigating the treacherous Southern Ocean.
Three Russian passengers started the protest, setting up camp outside the ship’s dining room with signs demanding full refunds for the curtailed trip, which cost between £7,000 and £10,000 per person. By Friday, only one protester continued the hunger strike.
The SH Diana, a “boutique 5-star” cruise ship, departed Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-night voyage to remote destinations, including Elephant Island, Heroina Island, and Deception Island. However, after two weeks of sailing, including visits to Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia, the ship’s Antarctic segment was abandoned for safety reasons.
Captain Svein Strommes made the difficult decision to divert the vessel, citing the risk posed by its compromised propulsion system. While many passengers acknowledged the safety concerns, frustration mounted over Swan Hellenic’s response and compensation offer.
In a letter to the company, passengers voiced their heartbreak at missing a “life-long bucket list” journey, especially for elderly and disabled travelers who faced significant challenges to embark on the trip.
“Many passengers are furious, and tensions escalated yesterday,” one traveller told The Times. Several Chinese guests joined the protests, wearing placards demanding “100% trip refund and cash refund.”
Swan Hellenic has proposed compensation of either a 50% cash refund or a 65% credit toward future cruises within two years. CEO Andrea Zito defended the offer, calling it “very generous” compared to the legal requirement of a 30% refund.
