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A 60-day voyage around Australia has been cancelled in the wake of the death of an elderly female passenger who was left behind by the cruise liner on a isolated coastal location.

The elderly woman had been walking on the remote island with shipmates from the vessel, but separated from the party for a break. The ship departed without her and went back after some time after the crew realised the lady was not present.

An extensive rescue mission found her remains the subsequent day.

Investigative bodies are examining the tragedy, in coordination with law enforcement and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company stated that travelers and personnel on the vessel were told that the rest of the cruise had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and previous engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he added that travelers would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the operator was working "to arrange the travel back of the individuals via specially arranged planes".

Regulatory bodies also published an updated communication, and said they had "provided a notice to the Commander" banning any additional guests from getting on the vessel.

The official said that they would visit the ship in Cairns upon its coming back.

Timeline of Incidents

The liner first departed the coastal city on October 24th, and was only 48 hours into the journey at the point of the senior passenger's death. The remote island was the first stop on the voyage.

Guests on the ship - who typically pay large sums of money to join the cruise - were transported there for a day trip with the possibility of trekking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Response

The offspring of the deceased woman said that her relatives was "surprised and grieved that the liner left Lizard Island after an scheduled excursion without my mother".

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

"From the little information we have been told, it seems that there was a lapse of care and common sense," she stated.

She added that she wished the examination would be able to determine what "the organization should have done that might have protected Mum's being".

"We understand from the investigators that it was a very hot day, and she took sick on the uphill trek," she stated.

"Officials suggested her to return, unescorted. Then the vessel sailed away, seemingly without conducting a roll call.

"During some point in that process, or shortly after, mum died, by herself."

Company Reaction

In a statement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the operator was "collaborating extensively with investigators to aid their investigation".

He stated that the company was "deeply sorry that this has happened" and had provided its full support to the relatives.

Maritime Business Practices

The ship caters for up to one hundred twenty guests with nearly fifty staff, according to official information. It was purpose-built to reach isolated areas of the nation's coastline and is equipped with "small boats" - small boats used to take passengers on shore trips.

Incidents like this are uncommon, and passenger vessels have protocols to record which travelers are boarding or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Leaving covertly or [back] aboard really isn't an possibility," a specialist stated.

Vessel operators regard these methods with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such events from taking place," the specialist continued.

"This seems to be probably a shocking - and unfortunate - isolated incident."