Itineraries can change suddenly, especially around Antarctica, where the weather conditions can be unpredictable and extreme.

Sometimes, a cruise line has to change its itinerary because of damage to the ship. In such a case the ship must either divert to a place where repairs can be made and/or it might have to miss a port because it can't reach the speeds needed to go where it was scheduled to go.

A mechanical failure cut short a luxury Antarctic cruise, sparking protests and a hunger strike from passengers demanding full refunds.

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

Protests broke out after Swan Hellenic’s ocean vessel, Diana, had to swerve its highlight, says our on-board writer

A small group of passengers onboard a luxury cruise to Antarctica have staged a hunger strike after mechanical difficulties cut short their voyage to the southernmost continent. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.