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An extensive 60-day journey around the Australian Coast is being halted days after the death of an elderly female passenger who was left behind by the ship on a remote tropical isle.

The elderly woman had been walking on the tropical location with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but parted ways from the group for a rest. The ship sailed away leaving her and went back later that day after the personnel realised the lady was not present.

An extensive search operation discovered her body the next day.

Investigative bodies are looking into the incident, in coordination with investigators and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the cruise operator stated that guests and personnel on the vessel were notified that the rest of the cruise had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and prior mechanical issues".

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

Regulatory bodies also issued an latest announcement, and said they had "delivered a order to the Commander" banning any new passengers from getting on the liner.

The representative said that they would inspect the liner in the Australian city upon its arrival.

Timeline of Incidents

The liner originally sailed from the Australian port on 24 October, and was merely two days into the journey at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the first stop on the itinerary.

Passengers on board - who typically pay large sums of dollars to participate in the expedition - were taken there for a day trip with the possibility of walking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Statement

The daughter of the victim said that her relatives was "shocked and distressed that the liner left the location after an organised tour without my parent".

In her statement, she described her parent as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a participant of a bushwalking club.

"Based on limited information we have been told, it looks that there was a lapse of care and common sense," she said.

She added that she desired the investigation would be able to identify what "the operator should have done that might have saved Her life".

"According to reports from the police that it was a extremely warm day, and she fell ill on the mountain ascent," she explained.

"They requested her to head down, alone. Then the boat left, reportedly without conducting a headcount.

"At some stage in that process, or not long after, mother died, by herself."

Operator Position

Via official communication, the Chief Executive affirmed that the company was "collaborating extensively with investigators to assist their investigation".

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

Maritime Business Procedures

The vessel serves up to a hundred twenty passengers with forty-six personnel, according to company information. It was specially constructed to access isolated locations of Australia's coast and is outfitted with "small boats" - small boats used to ferry travelers on land visits.

Events like this are infrequent, and liners have protocols to track which passengers are boarding or getting off, according to travel authorities.

"Leaving covertly or [back] onboard really isn't an possibility," one expert stated.

Cruise lines consider these processes with great importance and have "sophisticated systems in place to prevent such events from occurring," the specialist further stated.

"This appears to be most likely a stunning - and tragic - single occurrence."