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One extended journey circling the Land Down Under has been cancelled days after the death of an senior female passenger who was left behind by the cruise liner on a remote coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been trekking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the vessel, but broke off from the party for a pause. The ship sailed away leaving her and returned several hours later after the crew realised the lady was not present.

A major rescue mission found her body the subsequent day.

Authorities are looking into the event, alongside investigators and the official investigator.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that guests and crew on the ship were notified that the rest of the journey had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and prior engine troubles".

In a statement, he added that guests would be provided a full refund, and said the company was working "to coordinate the travel back of the individuals via private aircraft".

Authorities also published an latest statement, and said they had "issued a notice to the Commander" preventing any additional guests from getting on the vessel.

The spokesperson said that they would visit the vessel in the port city upon its return.

Chronology of Incidents

The liner initially left the coastal city on 24 October, and was just two days into the voyage at the time of the elderly woman's death. The tropical location was the initial destination on the itinerary.

Guests on the ship - who generally pay large sums of money to take part in the cruise - were taken there for a day trip with the choice of trekking or snorkelling.

Relatives Response

The daughter of the deceased woman said that her family was "shocked and saddened that the liner left Lizard Island after an scheduled outing without my mum".

Through her comments, she described her parent as an "active elderly person" who was a member of a walking club.

"Based on limited information we have been informed, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense," she stated.

She further stated that she hoped the inquiry would be able to identify what "the company should have done that might have preserved Her existence".

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

"They requested her to return, unescorted. Then the vessel departed, apparently without performing a passenger count.

"During some point in that sequence, or soon after, mum succumbed, alone."

Company Response

In a statement, the Head affirmed that the organization was "working closely with officials to support their examination".

He stated that the firm was "very regretful that this has happened" and had provided its full support to the loved ones.

Maritime Business Standards

The ship accommodates up to one hundred twenty guests with nearly fifty personnel, according to official data. It was specifically designed to access isolated areas of the Australian shoreline and is equipped with "small boats" - small boats used to take travelers on day excursions.

Incidents like this are uncommon, and cruise ships have systems to document which individuals are boarding or getting off, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] aboard really isn't an option," an authority commented.

Shipping companies consider these procedures very seriously and have "clever tech in place to avoid such incidents from taking place," the authority added.

"This appears to be most likely a shocking - and unfortunate - single occurrence."