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One extended cruise circling the Land Down Under has been cancelled in the wake of the fatal incident of an senior woman who was stranded by the vessel on a distant island.

Suzanne Rees had been hiking on the remote island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but broke off from the excursion for a break. The liner departed without her and returned several hours later after the ship staff became aware the woman was not present.

A major hunt found her body the following day.

Officials are looking into the event, in coordination with investigators and the medical examiner.

Chief Executive of the voyage organizer announced that guests and staff on the ship were notified that the remainder of the journey had been cancelled due to the "tragic passing and prior engine troubles".

In a statement, he mentioned that guests would be provided a complete reimbursement, and said the organization was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the passengers via private aircraft".

Regulatory bodies also issued an revised statement, and said they had "delivered a notice to the Commander" banning any additional guests from entering the liner.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the ship in the Australian city upon its return.

Sequence of Incidents

The ship first departed Cairns on October 24th, and was just two days into the expedition at the time of the senior passenger's death. Lizard Island was the first stop on the journey.

Travelers on the ship - who generally pay substantial amounts of dollars to participate in the cruise - were transported there for a shore visit with the option of hiking or snorkelling.

Family Reaction

The daughter of the victim said that her loved ones was "surprised and saddened that the vessel left the island after an organised tour without my mother".

Via her announcement, she described her mum as an "energetic elderly person" who was a participant of a walking group.

"According to scant details we have been informed, it looks that there was a failure of care and common sense," she stated.

She added that she desired the inquiry would be able to pinpoint what "the company should have done that might have saved Her life".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a very hot afternoon, and mum fell ill on the hill climb," she explained.

"She was asked her to head down, alone. Then the vessel left, reportedly without performing a passenger count.

"During some point in that chain of events, or not long after, mother died, alone."

Operator Reaction

Through an announcement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the organization was "collaborating extensively with officials to support their inquiry".

He mentioned that the firm was "very regretful that this has transpired" and had provided its complete assistance to the relatives.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The ship accommodates up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty personnel, according to company information. It was specially constructed to access distant locations of Australia's shoreline and is equipped with "small boats" - small boats used to ferry travelers on shore trips.

Incidents such as this are uncommon, and cruise ships have procedures to record which travelers are boarding or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] on the ship simply isn't an possibility," a specialist commented.

Vessel operators regard these procedures very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such incidents from happening," the expert added.

"This appears to be probably a stunning - and unfortunate - isolated incident."