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An extensive two-month cruise around the Australian Coast was terminated days after the fatal incident of an senior female passenger who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a isolated island.

The elderly woman had been walking on Lizard Island with shipmates from the cruise ship, but broke off from the party for a rest. The liner sailed away leaving her and returned later that day after the ship staff discovered the woman was missing.

An extensive hunt discovered her body the following day.

Investigative bodies are examining the event, in coordination with police and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company stated that travelers and personnel on the ship were told that the remainder of the voyage had been called off due to the "tragic passing and earlier technical problems".

Via official communication, he added that guests would be given a complete reimbursement, and said the operator was working "to arrange the homeward trips of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Authorities also released an revised announcement, and said they had "issued a notice to the Master" prohibiting any additional guests from getting on the vessel.

The official said that they would visit the liner in the port city upon its return.

Timeline of Incidents

The ship originally sailed from the coastal city on October 24th, and was just two days into the voyage at the moment of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the initial destination on the itinerary.

Passengers on board - who typically pay large sums of dollars to participate in the expedition - were transported there for a daily excursion with the option of trekking or snorkeling.

Family Reaction

The daughter of the elderly passenger said that her relatives was "stunned and saddened that the liner left Lizard Island after an planned excursion without my mother".

Through her comments, she described her mum as an "active 80-year-old" who was a affiliate of a walking club.

"From the little details we have been told, it looks that there was a breakdown of attention and common sense," she said.

She further stated that she hoped the investigation would be able to determine what "the organization should have done that might have saved Her life".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother fell ill on the uphill trek," she explained.

"They requested her to head down, alone. Then the vessel left, seemingly without conducting a passenger count.

"At some stage in that chain of events, or soon after, mum passed away, without company."

Company Response

Through an announcement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the company was "cooperating fully with officials to support their inquiry".

He stated that the organization was "extremely apologetic that this has happened" and had provided its complete assistance to the loved ones.

Cruise Industry Standards

The liner caters for up to a hundred twenty travelers with nearly fifty staff, according to corporate data. It was purpose-built to reach remote locations of the nation's shoreline and is outfitted with "tenders" - minor craft used to ferry passengers on day excursions.

Events of this nature are uncommon, and liners have procedures to record which individuals are getting on or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Leaving covertly or [back] aboard simply isn't an choice," one expert stated.

Shipping companies consider these processes very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to stop such incidents from taking place," the specialist continued.

"This appears to be most likely a shocking - and sad - isolated incident."