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One extended journey around the Australian Coast has been cancelled days after the death of an senior female passenger who was abandoned by the ship on a isolated coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been trekking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but parted ways from the group for a rest. The ship left without her and returned later that day after the ship staff became aware the woman was not present.

An extensive hunt found her remains the following day.

Officials are examining the event, alongside law enforcement and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the cruise operator stated that travelers and staff on the vessel were notified that the remainder of the journey had been cancelled due to the "tragic passing and previous technical problems".

In a statement, he further stated that guests would be issued a total repayment, and said the organization was working "to organize the homeward trips of the travelers via specially arranged planes".

Authorities also published an revised communication, and said they had "issued a notice to the Captain" banning any additional guests from entering the vessel.

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

Chronology of Events

The ship first departed Cairns on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the point of the elderly woman's demise. The remote island was the opening port on the journey.

Guests on board - who usually pay large sums of dollars to join the expedition - were transported there for a day trip with the choice of hiking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Response

The child of the victim said that her loved ones was "stunned and distressed that the ship left Lizard Island after an planned tour without my mum".

In her statement, she portrayed her mum as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a member of a hiking club.

"From the little information we have been provided, it seems that there was a failure of attention and common sense," she mentioned.

She further stated that she desired the investigation would be able to identify what "the operator should have done that might have preserved Mother's existence".

"Based on information from the authorities that it was a extremely warm period, and she fell ill on the mountain ascent," she revealed.

"They requested her to go back, unescorted. Then the ship sailed away, reportedly without performing a roll call.

"At some stage in that process, or shortly after, mum passed away, by herself."

Organization Reaction

Via official communication, the Chief Executive confirmed that the company was "working closely with authorities to assist their examination".

He mentioned that the company was "deeply sorry that this has transpired" and had offered its total backing to the loved ones.

Cruise Industry Practices

The liner caters for up to 120 travelers with 46 staff, according to official details. It was specially constructed to enter distant areas of the Australian coast and is outfitted with "auxiliary vessels" - minor craft used to ferry travelers on land visits.

Occurrences such as this are rare, and cruise ships have systems to track which travelers are embarking or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn't an choice," a specialist commented.

Vessel operators regard these processes very seriously and have "sophisticated systems in place to stop such events from happening," the specialist added.

"This is probably a surprising - and tragic - one-off."