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An extensive extended journey around Australia has been cancelled following the tragic passing of an senior lady who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a distant island.

The passenger had been walking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the group for a pause. The liner sailed away leaving her and came back later that day after the ship staff became aware the lady was not present.

A large-scale rescue mission found her remains the next day.

Authorities are looking into the tragedy, in coordination with investigators and the medical examiner.

Head of the cruise operator said that travelers and crew on the ship were told that the continuation of the journey had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and earlier engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he mentioned that travelers would be provided a full refund, and said the operator was working "to coordinate the travel back of the passengers via private aircraft".

Officials also published an revised announcement, and said they had "delivered a order to the Captain" prohibiting any new passengers from entering the vessel.

The official said that they would attend the liner in Cairns upon its arrival.

Chronology of Occurrences

The liner first departed Cairns on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the moment of the senior passenger's passing. Lizard Island was the opening port on the journey.

Guests on the vessel - who generally pay tens of thousands of currency to participate in the voyage - were transported there for a day trip with the option of hiking or snorkeling.

Relatives Response

The child of the deceased woman said that her family was "stunned and grieved that the ship left the island after an planned outing without my parent".

Through her comments, she described her mum as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a affiliate of a bushwalking club.

"Based on limited details we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and basic judgment," she said.

She further stated that she wished the investigation would be able to determine what "the operator should have undertaken that might have protected Mum's life".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a extremely warm afternoon, and mother became unwell on the uphill trek," she stated.

"Officials suggested her to return, without accompaniment. Then the boat sailed away, reportedly without performing a passenger count.

"During some point in that sequence, or soon after, mother passed away, alone."

Company Position

Through an announcement, the Head verified that the organization was "working closely with officials to assist their inquiry".

He said that the company was "very regretful that this has happened" and had extended its complete assistance to the family.

Maritime Business Standards

The ship serves up to 120 guests with 46 staff, according to company details. It was specially constructed to access remote areas of Australia's coastline and is equipped with "auxiliary vessels" - minor craft used to transport passengers on shore trips.

Events such as this are uncommon, and passenger vessels have protocols to document which passengers are boarding or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard simply isn't an choice," an authority remarked.

Cruise lines take these procedures extremely carefully and have "clever tech in place to stop such events from occurring," the specialist continued.

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