Tensions have erupted aboard the luxury cruise ship SH Diana as frustrated passengers protest the cancellation of their once-in-a-lifetime voyage to Antarctica due to an engine malfunction. A small group of travelers has resorted to a hunger strike, demanding full refunds after the cruise operator, Swan Hellenic, declined to offer complete reimbursements for the disrupted journey.

Viking's expedition team, in collaboration with Oceanites, has made a groundbreaking discovery of a new chinstrap penguin colony on Diaz Rock, near Astrolabe Island in Antarctica. This discovery, made during a visit in January 2024 by the Viking Octantis, marks the first survey of the chinstrap penguin colony on Astrolabe Island in nearly 40 years and reveals an additional colony previously unknown to science.

Key Discoveries and Scientific Contributions

Guests booked on the Norwegian Star for an 18-night Antarctica sailing departing on February 18, 2024, have been notified of significant adjustments to the cruise itinerary. While all ports of call remain on the schedule, the timing within each port and the duration of scenic cruising in Antarctica have been modified.

Itinerary Changes Explained

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is offering two innovative Antarctica itineraries that incorporate shorter sailings and unique flights over the Drake Passage. These new options provide travelers with an alternative way to experience the wonders of Antarctica.

Eight-Day Itinerary with Roundtrip Flight Over Drake Passage