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One 60-day cruise around the Australian Coast was terminated days after the death of an elderly lady who was left behind by the ship on a remote island.

The elderly woman had been hiking on the remote island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the excursion for a break. The liner left without her and went back later that day after the personnel became aware the lady was unaccounted for.

A major rescue mission found her person the subsequent day.

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

The CEO of the cruise operator stated that passengers and staff on the vessel were told that the continuation of the voyage had been terminated due to the "tragic passing and previous technical problems".

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

Regulatory bodies also published an latest statement, and said they had "issued a notice to the Captain" banning any additional guests from entering the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the vessel in the Australian city upon its return.

Timeline of Events

The liner initially left the coastal city on October 24th, and was only 48 hours into the expedition at the time of the 80-year-old's passing. The tropical location was the opening port on the voyage.

Passengers on the ship - who typically pay tens of thousands of money to participate in the expedition - were taken there for a day trip with the choice of trekking or snorkeling.

Next of Kin Reaction

The offspring of the elderly passenger said that her loved ones was "shocked and saddened that the liner left Lizard Island after an scheduled excursion without my mother".

In her statement, she described her mum as an "vigorous octogenarian" who was a participant of a walking organization.

"According to scant information we have been told, it looks that there was a failure of responsibility and common sense," she said.

She continued that she hoped the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the organization should have performed that might have saved Mum's life".

"Based on information from the investigators that it was a very hot day, and she became unwell on the mountain ascent," she revealed.

"They requested her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the boat sailed away, apparently without conducting a roll call.

"At some stage in that chain of events, or not long after, mother died, alone."

Operator Reaction

Through an announcement, the Chief Executive confirmed that the organization was "cooperating fully with authorities to aid their examination".

He said that the organization was "very regretful that this has happened" and had provided its total backing to the family.

Cruise Industry Practices

The liner caters for up to one hundred twenty guests with 46 crew, according to company details. It was purpose-built to enter distant areas of the nation's shoreline and is equipped with "tenders" - small boats used to transport individuals on day excursions.

Occurrences such as this are uncommon, and cruise ships have procedures to record which travelers are embarking or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard simply isn't an option," one expert remarked.

Vessel operators regard these procedures extremely carefully and have "clever tech in place to stop such occurrences from happening," the authority added.

"This is presumably a shocking - and unfortunate - single occurrence."