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A two-month cruise around Australia has been cancelled in the wake of the tragic passing of an older lady who was abandoned by the vessel on a remote tropical isle.

Suzanne Rees had been walking on the tropical location with fellow passengers from the vessel, but separated from the group for a pause. The liner departed without her and returned several hours later after the ship staff discovered the passenger was unaccounted for.

A large-scale hunt discovered her person the following day.

Officials are investigating the tragedy, in coordination with police and the state coroner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that passengers and personnel on the ship were informed that the remainder of the voyage had been cancelled due to the "sad loss and earlier technical problems".

Via official communication, he further stated that travelers would be provided a full refund, and said the operator was working "to organize the travel back of the travelers via private aircraft".

Officials also published an updated announcement, and said they had "delivered a order to the Commander" prohibiting any further travelers from getting on the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would visit the ship in the port city upon its arrival.

Chronology of Events

The ship originally sailed from Cairns on 24 October, and was only 48 hours into the voyage at the time of the elderly woman's demise. The tropical location was the initial destination on the journey.

Passengers on the ship - who generally pay large sums of money to take part in the cruise - were transported there for a day trip with the choice of walking or snorkeling.

Family Response

The daughter of the victim said that her loved ones was "surprised and grieved that the vessel left the island after an organised excursion without my parent".

In her statement, she characterized her mum as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a member of a walking group.

"Based on limited facts we have been informed, it seems that there was a failure of attention and ordinary reasoning," she said.

She further stated that she hoped the examination would be able to determine what "the operator should have done that might have preserved Mum's existence".

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

"Officials suggested her to go back, alone. Then the vessel sailed away, seemingly without conducting a passenger count.

"During some point in that process, or shortly after, mum succumbed, alone."

Operator Response

Through an announcement, the Head affirmed that the operator was "working closely with investigators to support their inquiry".

He said that the organization was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had provided its complete assistance to the relatives.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The ship accommodates up to 120 guests with forty-six crew, according to corporate information. It was specifically designed to reach distant locations of Australia's coastline and is outfitted with "auxiliary vessels" - compact vessels used to transport passengers on day excursions.

Events of this nature are rare, and liners have protocols to record which travelers are getting on or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an choice," one expert stated.

Cruise lines consider these processes very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to stop such incidents from happening," the specialist added.

"This seems to be presumably a surprising - and sad - single occurrence."