Swan Hellenic defends position as passengers stage hunger strike
Swan Hellenic has backed its decision to offer passengers a 50 per cent refund after it was forced to alter a sailing due to technical problems
In response, several passengers staged a hunger strike and demanded the line reimburse the full cost of the 21-day sailing from Cape Town to Ushuaia.
The vessel, which was due to spend three and a half days in the Antarctica Peninsula, diverted to the Argentinian city after one of the ship’s two propulsion electric motors malfunctioned.
The ship will spend three days in port while repairs are made. The line confirmed guests will be able to use the ship’s facilities for the remaining three days until their return flight and daily excursions have been made available.
As the technical difficulties occurred on day 14 of the sailing, guests were offered a 50 per cent cash refund on the price of the cruise, which is higher than the legal requirement of approximately 30 per cent. Alternatively, guests were offered a 65 per cent future cruise credit on any Swan Hellenic cruise.
The line’s chief executive Andrea Zito said: “Many of the obviously very disappointed passengers accepted this offer and some have already rebooked.
“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.”
Zito confirmed initial unease has “largely subsided”, despite a select few choosing to stage a hunger strike in their protest, which Zito described as “rather counterproductive”.
‘Right now there is a group heading up on four days without food’
“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,” Zito said.
“We feel we have offered a very generous compensation package, beyond what is legally required.”
Zachary Morgan, a passenger onboard the ship, told Cruise Trade News: “We have been offered a mere 50 per cent refund when we have missed the entire continent of Antartica.
“As a result, passengers have been going on a hunger strike. Right now there is a group heading up on four days without food, sleeping in the lobby, with signs demonstrated. I’ve seen other passengers around the ship with signs around their neck demanding a full refund.”
