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One extended cruise around Australia is being halted days after the tragic passing of an older lady who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a remote tropical isle.

Suzanne Rees had been trekking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the party for a break. The ship departed without her and returned later that day after the personnel became aware the woman was unaccounted for.

An extensive search operation found her person the following day.

Officials are examining the incident, together with investigators and the medical examiner.

Head of the cruise operator announced that passengers and personnel on the ship were notified that the remainder of the cruise had been terminated due to the "tragic passing and previous mechanical issues".

In a statement, he added that guests would be given a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to organize the return journeys of the travelers via chartered flights".

Authorities also published an latest announcement, and said they had "delivered a order to the Captain" preventing any further travelers from boarding the vessel.

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

Chronology of Events

The vessel initially left the Australian port on the 24th of October, and was just two days into the expedition at the moment of the senior passenger's death. The tropical location was the opening port on the voyage.

Travelers on board - who typically pay substantial amounts of dollars to participate in the expedition - were ferried there for a shore visit with the option of trekking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Reaction

The child of the elderly passenger said that her family was "surprised and distressed that the vessel left the island after an organised tour without my mum".

Through her comments, she described her mum as an "active octogenarian" who was a member of a hiking group.

"According to scant information we have been told, it looks that there was a breakdown of attention and common sense," she said.

She added that she wished the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the organization should have undertaken that might have preserved Mother's existence".

"According to reports from the investigators that it was a exceptionally warm period, and mum became unwell on the uphill trek," she stated.

"She was asked her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the vessel departed, apparently without performing a headcount.

"During some point in that process, or not long after, she succumbed, alone."

Operator Reaction

Through an announcement, the Head affirmed that the organization was "cooperating fully with officials to assist their inquiry".

He mentioned that the firm was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had provided its complete assistance to the loved ones.

Shipping Sector Practices

The liner accommodates up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty personnel, according to official information. It was specially constructed to enter distant locations of Australia's shoreline and is equipped with "small boats" - compact vessels used to take passengers on day excursions.

Incidents of this nature are infrequent, and liners have systems to track which travelers are getting on or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] on the ship just isn't an option," one expert commented.

Cruise lines regard these processes very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such events from occurring," the authority added.

"This appears to be presumably a surprising - and sad - one-off."