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A two-month cruise circling Australia has been cancelled following the fatal incident of an senior lady who was stranded by the vessel on a remote coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been trekking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the group for a break. The vessel sailed away leaving her and went back later that day after the ship staff became aware the lady was unaccounted for.

An extensive hunt found her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the event, in coordination with police and the official investigator.

The CEO of the shipping company said that passengers and personnel on the ship were notified that the continuation of the voyage had been called off due to the "sad loss and prior technical problems".

In a statement, he mentioned that guests would be provided a full refund, and said the company was working "to arrange the travel back of the passengers via chartered flights".

Regulatory bodies also published an updated announcement, and said they had "provided a order to the Captain" banning any further travelers from getting on the ship.

The representative said that they would visit the ship in Cairns upon its return.

Chronology of Incidents

The liner initially left Cairns on the 24th of October, and was only 48 hours into the voyage at the time of the elderly woman's passing. The remote island was the first stop on the voyage.

Travelers on board - who typically pay large sums of dollars to take part in the cruise - were transported there for a shore visit with the possibility of hiking or snorkeling.

Family Statement

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

Through her comments, she described her mother as an "vigorous octogenarian" who was a participant of a bushwalking organization.

"According to scant facts we have been provided, it appears that there was a breakdown of care and common sense," she said.

She continued that she desired the investigation would be able to determine what "the operator should have undertaken that might have preserved Mum's being".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm day, and she took sick on the hill climb," she explained.

"She was asked her to return, alone. Then the vessel sailed away, seemingly without performing a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or shortly after, she succumbed, without company."

Organization Response

Through an announcement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the organization was "collaborating extensively with officials to assist their inquiry".

He mentioned that the firm was "deeply sorry that this has happened" and had extended its full support to the relatives.

Shipping Sector Standards

The vessel accommodates up to a hundred twenty guests with forty-six crew, according to company information. It was specially constructed to access distant areas of the Australian shoreline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - minor craft used to take travelers on day excursions.

Events such as this are infrequent, and passenger vessels have procedures to document which individuals are boarding or disembarking, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard simply isn't an choice," a specialist remarked.

Shipping companies consider these procedures very seriously and have "clever tech in place to prevent such events from taking place," the expert further stated.

"This is probably a surprising - and sad - isolated incident."