The SH Diana was en route to the South Pole when the maritime mishap occurred earlier this week, derailing the 20-night voyage.

A group of passengers onboard a luxury Antarctic cruise ship staged a hunger strike after their trip was cut short before they reached the continent.

Swan Hellenic's CEO said: "A select few chose to stage a hunger strike in their protest which is rather counterproductive."

It feels rather surreal so deep in the South Atlantic Ocean on the aft deck of Swan Hellenic’s ocean vessel, Diana, watching grey-headed albatrosses swoop and dive as I enjoy a coffee, that our voyage suddenly garnered international attention.

Cruise passengers on Swan Hellenic’s Diana vessel go on hunger strike over lack of full refund and cruise cancellation.

The luxury trip aboard the Swan Hellenic's SH Diana was supposed to be the cruise of a lifetime for the 170 passengers but their dreams of seeing one of the remotest corners of the world were crushed

Tourists aboard a luxury Antarctic cruise liner have gone on hunger strike after their voyage was cut short due to engine failure, with the company refusing to reimburse them in full.

Furious passengers aboard a luxury Antarctic cruise ship have launched a hunger strike after engine problems forced the cancellation of their dream voyage. The protest began after Swan Hellenic's SH Diana was forced to abandon the Antarctic portion of its 20-night cruise due to a faulty propeller bearing.