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One extended journey circling the Australian Coast has been cancelled in the wake of the death of an older lady who was left behind by the cruise liner on a isolated tropical isle.

Suzanne Rees had been hiking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but separated from the excursion for a rest. The liner departed without her and returned several hours later after the ship staff became aware the passenger was not present.

An extensive search operation located her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the event, together with police and the official investigator.

The CEO of the cruise operator announced that passengers and personnel on the vessel were notified that the rest of the cruise had been cancelled due to the "unfortunate death and earlier mechanical issues".

In a statement, he added that passengers would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to coordinate the travel back of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Officials also issued an updated announcement, and said they had "provided a directive to the Master" prohibiting any new passengers from boarding the ship.

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

Timeline of Incidents

The ship initially left Cairns on 24 October, and was merely two days into the journey at the point of the senior passenger's death. The remote island was the opening port on the itinerary.

Passengers on the vessel - who typically pay substantial amounts of dollars to take part in the voyage - were ferried there for a daily excursion with the option of trekking or underwater exploration.

Relatives Response

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

Through her comments, she characterized her mum as an "energetic octogenarian" who was a affiliate of a bushwalking group.

"According to scant information we have been told, it appears that there was a lapse of attention and basic judgment," she said.

She added that she wished the inquiry would be able to pinpoint what "the operator should have undertaken that might have preserved Mum's life".

"We understand from the police that it was a exceptionally warm period, and mum took sick on the uphill trek," she revealed.

"She was asked her to return, unescorted. Then the boat sailed away, reportedly without performing a roll call.

"During some point in that process, or not long after, mum succumbed, without company."

Organization Reaction

In a statement, the Head confirmed that the company was "collaborating extensively with officials to aid their examination".

He mentioned that the organization was "very regretful that this has happened" and had offered its complete assistance to the relatives.

Shipping Sector Procedures

The liner caters for up to one hundred twenty passengers with nearly fifty crew, according to company information. It was specially constructed to enter isolated regions of Australia's coastline and is outfitted with "tenders" - minor craft used to ferry passengers on day excursions.

Incidents of this nature are infrequent, and liners have systems to document which travelers are embarking or getting off, according to travel authorities.

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

Vessel operators consider these procedures with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such incidents from taking place," the specialist added.

"This is most likely a stunning - and unfortunate - one-off."