LUXURY cruise passengers have gone on hunger strike after engine failure wrecked their dream polar voyage.
Passengers on the SH Diana protested when tour firm Swan Hellenic refused a full refund after their trip was cut short.
The 20-night trip left Cape Town, South Africa, two weeks ago and was due to make stops at points near and on Antarctica.
But the year-old ship developed a fault in one of its eco-friendly hybrid engines, forcing the liner to abandon the trip.
Passengers who paid from £7,000 to £10,000 were offered a 50 per cent refund or a 65 per cent “future cruise credit”.
Most aboard are Russian. There are about ten Brits.
A letter by passengers, demanding a full refund, reads: “For many of us, visiting Antarctica is a life-long bucket list.
“Some have struggled already to get to this point, only for the trip to be cut short.”
Swan Hellenic stated that only a small number of individuals have chosen to go on a hunger strike. However, the company justified its proposal, claiming it is more favorable compared to the mandatory refund of 30 percent.
The wrangling went on last night as the ship crawled to Ushuaia, Argentina, for repairs. It should arrive in a week.
