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An extensive two-month journey around the Australian Coast is being halted in the wake of the fatal incident of an senior woman who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a isolated tropical isle.

The elderly woman had been walking on Lizard Island with shipmates from the vessel, but separated from the group for a rest. The ship sailed away leaving her and went back after some time after the ship staff became aware the lady was not present.

An extensive search operation found her person the next day.

Investigative bodies are examining the tragedy, together with law enforcement and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that passengers and staff on the ship were told that the rest of the journey had been cancelled due to the "tragic passing and previous technical problems".

In a statement, he further stated that travelers would be given a full refund, and said the company was working "to organize the return journeys of the travelers via private aircraft".

Authorities also issued an latest statement, and said they had "issued a directive to the Captain" banning any new passengers from entering the vessel.

The representative said that they would attend the ship in the port city upon its arrival.

Timeline of Events

The ship initially left the Australian port on the 24th of October, and was only 48 hours into the expedition at the time of the senior passenger's passing. The remote island was the opening port on the journey.

Guests on board - who typically pay large sums of money to join the cruise - were ferried there for a daily excursion with the choice of walking or snorkeling.

Family Response

The offspring of the deceased woman said that her relatives was "surprised and saddened that the liner left Lizard Island after an organised outing without my mum".

Through her comments, she described her mum as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a participant of a walking organization.

"From the little information we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and ordinary reasoning," she said.

She continued that she desired the inquiry would be able to determine what "the organization should have undertaken that might have saved Mum's life".

"We understand from the police that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother fell ill on the mountain ascent," she revealed.

"They requested her to head down, without accompaniment. Then the ship left, seemingly without performing a roll call.

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

Organization Position

Via official communication, the Chief Executive confirmed that the company was "cooperating fully with investigators to assist their examination".

He said that the company was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had extended its total backing to the loved ones.

Maritime Business Procedures

The ship accommodates up to one hundred twenty passengers with forty-six personnel, according to company information. It was specifically designed to reach distant locations of the Australian coastline and is equipped with "small boats" - small boats used to take passengers on day excursions.

Incidents like this are uncommon, and passenger vessels have systems to track which passengers are boarding or getting off, according to travel authorities.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] on the ship really isn't an choice," an authority stated.

Cruise lines regard these processes extremely carefully and have "sophisticated systems in place to avoid such incidents from taking place," the expert continued.

"This is most likely a surprising - and sad - isolated incident."