Passengers stage hunger strike over...

Customers not satisfied with 50% refund offer

Swan Hellenic has been forced to cancel calls in Antarctica due to an engine failure, leading to some passengers staging a hunger strike on board in protest.

SH Diana, the line’s third and largest ice-class cultural expedition ship. which entered service last year, is now due to arrive in Ushuaia in Argentina tomorrow (Saturday) for repairs after an “unexpected malfunction” in one of its two propulsion electric motors.

About 170 passengers are reported to be on board the 192-capacity ship which left Cape Town on November 13 for the 21-day repositioning sailing to the South American port where it is due to be based until March 2025 for southern hemisphere Antarctica itineraries.

SH Diana had been due to visit Elephant Island, Heroina Island, Paulet Island, Brown Bluff, D’Urville Monument, Yankee Harbour and Deception Island in Antarctica over almost four days as part of the voyage from South Africa, The Times reported.

However, a fault led the line to cut short port calls in Antarctica as well as South Georgia.

Passengers, who paid between US$8,865 to US$12,665 for the trip, are reported to be angry that the company did not offer to compensate them in full for the cruise, with some going on hunger strike.

Swan Hellenic has offered a 50% refund or a 65% future cruise credit which can be used within two years, although some are unhappy at the offer.

It has also promised daily excursions in Ushuaia once the ship docks until the passengers leave for their return flights on December 3.

The line’s chief executive Andrea Zito said that the offer made to passengers is “significantly higher than the legal requirement of approximately 30%.”

He said in a statement: “The 3.5 days lost on the Antarctic Peninsula leg of the sailing, understandably was considered by most guests to be a highlight of the 21-day cruise.

“In terms of compensation, the technical difficulties occurred on day 14. As a result, guests were offered a 50% cash refund on the price of the cruise. This offer is significantly higher than the legal requirement of approximately 30%.

“Alternatively, guests were offered a 65% future cruise credit on any SH cruise. Many of the obviously very disappointed passengers accepted this offer and some have already rebooked.”

He added: “As expected, not all of the guests were immediately satisfied with this compensation and have tried to build up pressure through discussions on board and by making demands on the captain and senior staff in order to obtain an even higher compensation for themselves. The initial unease has largely subsided.

“A select few chose to stage a hunger strike in their protest which is of rather counterproductive. We are working towards a swift end to this action.

“Swan Hellenic would like to reiterate that we deeply regret that we had to change the itinerary due to the technical problems with the propeller drive and we understand the disappointment of our guests who were looking forward to a taste of Antarctic experience.

“We feel we have offered a very generous compensation package, beyond what is legally required.”

SH Diana was touted ahead of its naming ceremony in Amsterdam in May 2023 as being designed to meet the latest environmental regulations and being “completely self-sufficient” for up to 40 days or 8,000 nautical miles.

The ship, which also carries 141 crew, uses zero-emission battery technology, making it possible to operate silently in port, marine reserves and other sensitive natural areas.

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