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A extended cruise around the Land Down Under is being halted days after the fatal incident of an senior female passenger who was left behind by the ship on a distant tropical isle.

The elderly woman had been walking on the remote island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but separated from the group for a break. The vessel left without her and came back after some time after the ship staff realised the woman was unaccounted for.

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

Authorities are looking into the incident, together with police and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that passengers and personnel on the vessel were notified that the continuation of the cruise had been called off due to the "sad loss and previous engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he added that guests would be given a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to organize the travel back of the passengers via chartered flights".

Officials also released an revised statement, and said they had "provided a directive to the Master" preventing any further travelers from getting on the ship.

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

Chronology of Occurrences

The liner first departed Cairns on October 24th, and was just two days into the expedition at the time of the 80-year-old's demise. The remote island was the opening port on the itinerary.

Travelers on the ship - who typically pay tens of thousands of money to join the voyage - were ferried there for a shore visit with the option of trekking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Statement

The daughter of the victim said that her family was "surprised and saddened that the vessel left Lizard Island after an scheduled outing without my parent".

Through her comments, she portrayed her mum as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a member of a bushwalking organization.

"Based on limited information we have been informed, it appears that there was a breakdown of care and common sense," she stated.

She further stated that she wished the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the operator should have done that might have saved Her existence".

"Based on information from the authorities that it was a extremely warm period, and mother took sick on the hill climb," she revealed.

"Officials suggested her to return, alone. Then the ship departed, apparently without conducting a roll call.

"At a certain moment in that sequence, or not long after, mum succumbed, by herself."

Organization Position

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

He stated that the firm was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had offered its total backing to the relatives.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The ship accommodates up to 120 travelers with nearly fifty staff, according to corporate data. It was specially constructed to access isolated areas of the Australian shoreline and is fitted with "tenders" - minor craft used to transport passengers on land visits.

Incidents such as this are rare, and cruise ships have procedures to record which individuals are embarking or leaving, according to maritime specialists.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] on the ship just isn't an option," a specialist commented.

Shipping companies consider these methods extremely carefully and have "sophisticated systems in place to avoid such events from happening," the specialist added.

"This appears to be probably a surprising - and sad - single occurrence."