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An extensive extended cruise around the Australian Coast has been cancelled in the wake of the fatal incident of an elderly lady who was left behind by the cruise liner on a remote coastal location.

The elderly woman had been hiking on Lizard Island with shipmates from the vessel, but broke off from the group for a break. The ship sailed away leaving her and came back several hours later after the crew realised the woman was unaccounted for.

An extensive rescue mission located her body the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the tragedy, in coordination with police and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company stated that travelers and crew on the ship were told that the rest of the cruise had been terminated due to the "sad loss and previous engine troubles".

Via official communication, he added that passengers would be given a full refund, and said the operator was working "to organize the return journeys of the individuals via chartered flights".

Officials also released an updated announcement, and said they had "issued a order to the Captain" prohibiting any further travelers from boarding the vessel.

The representative said that they would visit the ship in Cairns upon its return.

Chronology of Incidents

The liner originally sailed from the coastal city on October 24th, and was just two days into the voyage at the moment of the senior passenger's passing. The remote island was the opening port on the voyage.

Guests on board - who generally pay large sums of money to participate in the voyage - were ferried there for a day trip with the option of trekking or underwater exploration.

Family Statement

The offspring of the elderly passenger said that her family was "surprised and saddened that the ship left the island after an scheduled tour without my parent".

Through her comments, she described her mother as an "active octogenarian" who was a participant of a walking organization.

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

She added that she hoped the examination would be able to identify what "the organization should have undertaken that might have protected Mum's existence".

"We understand from the police that it was a extremely warm period, and she fell ill on the mountain ascent," she explained.

"Officials suggested her to go back, unescorted. Then the ship departed, seemingly without performing a roll call.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or shortly after, she passed away, alone."

Organization Response

Via official communication, the Chief Executive confirmed that the organization was "working closely with officials to aid their examination".

He said that the firm was "deeply sorry that this has occurred" and had provided its full support to the relatives.

Maritime Business Practices

The vessel serves up to a hundred twenty travelers with nearly fifty personnel, according to corporate information. It was purpose-built to enter remote locations of Australia's shoreline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - compact vessels used to ferry travelers on day excursions.

Occurrences of this nature are uncommon, and liners have systems to document which travelers are getting on or leaving, according to maritime specialists.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] on the ship simply isn't an choice," an authority remarked.

Vessel operators take these procedures with great importance and have "clever tech in place to prevent such events from occurring," the authority continued.

"This seems to be most likely a shocking - and unfortunate - one-off."