Swan Hellenic ship SH Diana back in action after hunger strike cruise out of Cape Town

The SH Diana of Swan Hellenic is back at sea after mechanical failures on a cruise from Cape Town, South Africa proved so controversial that some passengers staged a hunger strike and onboard demonstrations.

SH Diana was forced to cancel the Antarctica leg of its sailing last week due to problems with the ship’s propulsion motor, and while partial refunds and cruise credits were offered, some passengers staged a hunger strike, while others walked around the ship wearing placards that demanded full refunds. 

SH Diana is now back at sea and Swan Hellenic is confident that the next scheduled cruise won’t experience delays and that the scheduled Antarctic portion of the itinerary wont be affected. 

“The propulsion motor problem was detected while in South Georgia on the 12^th day of SH Diana’s 20-night cruise from South Africa to Antarctica, which departed Cape Town on 13 November,” Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic, told Cruise Passenger. 

“For obvious safety reasons, Captain Svein-Rune Stromnes promptly decided to curtail the voyage and proceed immediately to the closest safe port, Ushuaia, which was also the cruise’s port of arrival. 

“Spare parts were sourced and technicians mobilised in record time despite the logistical challenges of the remote location, enabling the repair work to start immediately when SH Diana docked in port on 1 December.

“We are pleased that the prompt and efficient coordination of all parties involved on board and ashore enabled SH Diana to depart for Antarctica with less than about 40 hours’ delay. 

“We have as always been attentive to our cruise guests during this time, arranging special excursions of Ushuaia and experiences aboard, which have been greatly appreciated. We now wish them exceptional explorations of the White Continent.”

British writer Mark Stratton described in the Daily Telegraph the lead up to the hunger strike. He said the ship’s captain had announced on the eve of heading for Antarctica that one of the propellers was not functioning.

“I have sailed to Antarctica before from South Georgia across the Scotia Sea – one of the wildest stretches of water on Earth – and can well understand that attempting this crossing would have been dangerous with only one functioning propeller.

“There was, of course, great collective disappointment. Mine included. Antarctica is the dream of a lifetime for many travellers, and we were in touching distance. Nevertheless, most passengers were prosaic, understanding that the cruise company had no choice but to prioritise the safety of its passengers.

“Thus, at a heavily reduced speed, fluctuating between 4-7 knots, we began a slow limp back towards Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina, our final port-of-call to disembark. It would be a five-day voyage, which is now likely to be six as I write, with an estimated arrival date of December 1.

Following the cancelled landings in Antarctica, Swan Hellenic offered guests a 50 per cent refund, or a 65 per cent credit toward a future cruise. Most passengers accepted the offer, but a group of Russian and Chinese guests demanded more.

“Three Russian guests began a hunger strike on Deck 4 outside the dining room,” writes Stratton. “Swaddled in blankets, they bore placards calling for a 100 per cent refund of the voyage. At the same time, a letter was handed to the ship’s expedition leader from a group of Chinese guests calling for a 100 per cent refund, and also a free cruise. 

“This was presented during a lively meeting where grievances were aired to the ship’s captain and expedition leader – who is in charge of the day-to-day passenger operations. The meeting certainly became heated, with tensions boiling over for those who felt they were not being sufficiently refunded, despite having had two weeks at sea.”