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An extensive extended journey circling Australia has been cancelled following the fatal incident of an older woman who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a remote tropical isle.

Suzanne Rees had been walking on Lizard Island with shipmates from the vessel, but separated from the party for a pause. The vessel sailed away leaving her and went back after some time after the ship staff discovered the passenger was unaccounted for.

A large-scale search operation found her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the event, together with police and the medical examiner.

Head of the cruise operator announced that passengers and staff on the vessel were informed that the rest of the journey had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and prior engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he further stated that guests would be issued a full refund, and said the company was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the travelers via private aircraft".

Authorities also issued an updated statement, and said they had "provided a notice to the Master" banning any further travelers from entering the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the vessel in Cairns upon its arrival.

Timeline of Events

The ship originally sailed from the Australian port on October 24th, and was just two days into the voyage at the time of the elderly woman's death. The remote island was the first stop on the voyage.

Travelers on the ship - who usually pay large sums of money to take part in the cruise - were ferried there for a shore visit with the choice of hiking or snorkeling.

Next of Kin Response

The child of the victim said that her loved ones was "shocked and saddened that the vessel left Lizard Island after an organised tour without my parent".

Through her comments, she portrayed her parent as an "energetic octogenarian" who was a affiliate of a hiking group.

"According to scant facts we have been informed, it appears that there was a breakdown of attention and basic judgment," she said.

She continued that she wished the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the company should have performed that might have saved Mum's existence".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a very hot period, and she fell ill on the uphill trek," she explained.

"She was asked her to go back, alone. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a headcount.

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

Operator Position

Through an announcement, the CEO affirmed that the operator was "working closely with officials to support their investigation".

He stated that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had extended its complete assistance to the relatives.

Shipping Sector Procedures

The vessel serves up to 120 passengers with 46 personnel, according to corporate information. It was specially constructed to reach isolated areas of the Australian coastline and is outfitted with "small boats" - small boats used to transport individuals on day excursions.

Incidents like this are uncommon, and cruise ships have procedures to record which travelers are getting on or leaving, according to maritime specialists.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an option," one expert stated.

Vessel operators take these processes with great importance and have "clever tech in place to prevent such incidents from taking place," the specialist further stated.

"This seems to be probably a stunning - and unfortunate - one-off."