- Swan Hellenic has announced that SH Diana is back sailing again after mechanical failures last week
- The ship had to cancel port calls to Antarctica that made headlines due to guests protesting in response to the compensation offered
- The cruise line expects no further delays or problems in the next sailings
Swan Hellenic’s luxury ship SH Diana has taken to the seas once again after mechanical failures that proved so controversial that the ship ended up going viral. Last week, SH Diana was forced to cancel the Antarctica leg of its sailing due to problems with the ship, and the reactions of its guests was extreme.
Some passengers staged a hunger strike, and others walked around the ship wearing placards that demanded refunds. Customers remained unhappy with the compensation offered, although it was above legal requirements.
However, no more drama is expected to follow as the cruise line has confirmed that the ship is fully repaired and tackling the Antarctic terrain once more.
The cruise line feels confident that the next scheduled cruise won’t experience delays and that guests will have amply to explore the area.
Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito says: “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.”
The company also offered more background on the recent mechanical fault and the cruise lines response.
“The propulsion motor problem was detected while in South Georgia on the 12th day of SH Diana’s 20-night cruise from South Africa to Antarctica, which departed Cape Town on 13 November. For obvious safety reasons, Captain Svein-Rune Stromnes promptly decided to curtail the voyage an d proceed immediately to the closest safe port, Ushuaia, which was also the cruise’s port of arrival. Spare parts were sourced and technicians mobilized 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.”
British writer Mark Stratton described in London’s 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 4-7knots, 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.
“After the bombshell announcement, compensation offers were announced by Swan Hellenic. They offered guests either a 50 per cent refund for this voyage, or 65 per cent off a future cruise. There was initially a lull in reaction – perhaps because many were still in a sort of shock that this dream voyage could end so abruptly – yet within 24 hours of the announcement, the mood changed.
“To date, some of the passengers I have spoken with have either accepted the offer or are dealing with the company – or insurance brokers, or their tour-operator – to try to negotiate better settlements. However, three days ago, some passengers took more strident stances.
“Three Russian guests began a hunger strike on Deck 4 outside the dining room. 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.”
