The cruise from South Africa to Argentina was due to stop in Antarctica for three days, but the stopover was canceled due to an engine problem.

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

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.

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.

Furious passengers are staging a hunger strike aboard a luxury cruise ship after an engine malfunction derailed their voyage to Antarctica. The SH Diana — a “boutique five-star “vessel that was only completed last year — was en route to the South Pole when the maritime mishap occurred earlier this week.

Hundreds of passengers onboard what was meant to be a dream cruise are now on a hunger strike. Thrill seekers paid between £7,000 to £10,000 for a ’boutique journey to Antarctica aboard Swan Hellenic’s SH Diana – but engine failure meant the journey was cut short.

Passengers on an Antarctic cruise have staged a hunger strike after the ship’s engine failed, forcing the expedition to be cut short. SH Diana, operated by cruise company Swan Hellenic, left Cape Town on 13 November for a 21-day voyage to the southern region.