A small number of passengers on a luxury cruise to Antarctica went on hunger strike after the voyage to the southernmost continent was cut short due to mechanical problems.
Approximately 170 travelers aboard the Swan Hellenic SH Diana set sail from Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-night cruise before a ship breakdown forced the abandonment of the Antarctic mission.
Three disgruntled Russian passengers took up a position outside the ship’s dining hall holding placards reading “Hunger Strike Against SH” and demanding a full refund for the rerouted route.
Passengers said several Chinese passengers were also holding up cardboard placards that read “100% refund and cash refund” and were demanding a full refund and a free cruise.
Guests who had an Antarctic cruise on their bucket list were unable to make it to their destination due to a “propeller shaft bearing failure” on the SH Diana.
Captain Svein Stroms called for the ship to crawl to Ushuaia on the tip of Argentina because it was unable to navigate the treacherous conditions of the Southern Ocean.
Russian passengers on ‘hunger strike’ camp outside ship’s dining room (provided)
In Antarctica, the cruise was scheduled to visit Elephant Island, Paulet Island, D’Urville Monument, Yankee Harbor, and Deception Island on a four-day trip.
Passengers on board told The Independent that the situation on board was now “calm” after “tense meetings” during the final days of the voyage to bring the situation under control.
The parts needed to secure the propeller shaft have been ordered and will be reinstalled when the ship enters Ushuaia on Saturday ahead of its next voyage on December 3.
The passenger added that despite the ship’s breakdown, the SH Diana’s voyage was an “amazing journey” around Tristan da Cuna and South Georgia.
As of Friday (November 29), only one female passenger appears to be continuing her hunger strike.
Swan Hellenic offered passengers 50 percent cash back or a 65-cent “future cruise credit” for changing itineraries.
The majority of passengers are believed to have accepted the compensation or are negotiating with their insurance companies or companies to increase their compensation.
According to pricing on the cruise line’s website, a cabin on a trip to Antarctica could have cost between £6,080 and £15,380 per person.
Swan Hellenic chief executive Andrea Zito told the Times that many “disappointed” passengers had already rebooked with the cruise line, adding that “the company has received an extremely large number of complaints beyond what is legally required.” He said he had accepted a generous compensation package.
Regarding the hunger strike, he said: “As expected, not all guests were immediately satisfied with this compensation and sought to increase pressure through onboard discussions and demands on the captain and senior staff to obtain even higher compensation.” Compensation for.
“The initial fears have largely dissipated. A select few have chosen to go on hunger strikes as a form of protest, but this is rather counterproductive. We hope to see an early end to this practice. We are working toward this goal.”
Zito added: “Swan Hellenic deeply regrets that technical issues with the propeller drive have forced us to change our itinerary and understands the disappointment of our guests who were looking forward to the Antarctic experience. I would like to reiterate that.”
The Independent has contacted Swan Hellenic for comment.
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