A group of passengers aboard the SH Diana, an Antarctic expedition cruise, has gone on hunger strike after the ship’s engine failure forced the voyage to be cut short. The incident has sparked widespread anger, as passengers, who had paid up to €10,000 for the 21-day trip, demand better compensation.
The SH Diana, operated by Swan Hellenic, set sail from Cape Town on November 13, with plans to explore iconic Antarctic destinations such as Elephant Island, Heroina Island, and Deception Island. However, the cruise was abruptly halted when one of the ship’s electric motors experienced an “unexpected malfunction.” As a result, the ship had to change course and head directly for its next port, Ushuaia, Argentina, where it is expected to arrive on Saturday for repairs.
At present, approximately 170 passengers remain aboard the SH Diana, the cruise line’s largest ice-class expedition vessel. The ship is traveling at a reduced speed of just six knots (11 km/h) as it makes its way toward Ushuaia. The disruption has left passengers frustrated, as their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica has been drastically shortened.
“They made the right call not to go to Antarctica for safety reasons, but it’s being handled very badly by Swan Hellenic,” one passenger told The Times. “This specific sailing made Antarctica achievable for many of us, and now we are left with nothing but disappointment.”
In response to the situation, a small group of Russian passengers has staged a hunger strike in protest, demanding greater compensation for the lost portion of their trip. The cruise line has offered affected guests a 50% refund or a 65% future cruise credit to be used within two years, in addition to daily excursions in Ushuaia before they return home.
Swan Hellenic’s CEO, Andrea Zito, stated that the compensation offer exceeds the legal requirements, noting that guests are entitled to only a 30% refund under local laws. He acknowledged that the 3.5 days lost on the Antarctic Peninsula were considered a highlight of the trip, but emphasized that the protest by the passengers was “counterproductive.”
SH Diana, which markets itself as an eco-friendly vessel, features zero-emission battery technology and is designed to operate silently in sensitive marine environments. However, the recent engine malfunction has put a damper on its reputation, leaving passengers dissatisfied with the handling of the situation.
Swan Hellenic is working to resolve the conflict as the ship heads for repairs, with hopes of reaching a resolution before the hunger strike escalates further.
