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An extensive two-month voyage through Australia was terminated days after the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was left behind by the ship on a isolated tropical isle.

Suzanne Rees had been trekking on the remote island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but broke off from the party for a rest. The liner left without her and returned after some time after the ship staff discovered the passenger was unaccounted for.

A large-scale search operation found her body the following day.

Investigative bodies are examining the incident, in coordination with police and the medical examiner.

Head of the voyage organizer stated that guests and staff on the ship were notified that the continuation of the journey had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and prior engine troubles".

In a statement, he mentioned that travelers would be given a full refund, and said the company was working "to organize the travel back of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Authorities also issued an latest statement, and said they had "issued a notice to the Commander" prohibiting any further travelers from getting on the vessel.

The spokesperson said that they would visit the vessel in the Australian city upon its coming back.

Chronology of Events

The vessel initially left the Australian port on 24 October, and was just two days into the journey at the moment of the elderly woman's death. The tropical location was the first stop on the itinerary.

Passengers on board - who generally pay substantial amounts of money to take part in the expedition - were taken there for a shore visit with the choice of walking or snorkelling.

Family Statement

The child of the elderly passenger said that her family was "stunned and grieved that the ship left Lizard Island after an planned excursion without my parent".

Via her announcement, she portrayed her mum as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a participant of a bushwalking club.

"Based on limited information we have been informed, it seems that there was a failure of attention and basic judgment," she said.

She added that she hoped the inquiry would be able to determine what "the company should have performed that might have saved Her being".

"We understand from the investigators that it was a very hot day, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she stated.

"Officials suggested her to go back, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without conducting a roll call.

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

Operator Reaction

In a statement, the CEO confirmed that the operator was "collaborating extensively with authorities to assist their inquiry".

He said that the firm was "deeply sorry that this has happened" and had offered its total backing to the relatives.

Maritime Business Standards

The ship caters for up to one hundred twenty guests with forty-six crew, according to corporate information. It was specially constructed to access distant locations of the nation's shoreline and is outfitted with "tenders" - small boats used to ferry individuals on shore trips.

Events like this are uncommon, and liners have protocols to track which travelers are getting on or getting off, according to travel authorities.

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

Vessel operators take these methods extremely carefully and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such occurrences from happening," the expert further stated.

"This seems to be most likely a stunning - and sad - isolated incident."