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One two-month cruise circling Australia was terminated days after the tragic passing of an older woman who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a distant coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been hiking on the remote island with shipmates from the Coral Adventurer, but separated from the party for a break. The ship left without her and went back later that day after the ship staff realised the woman was missing.

A major rescue mission found her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are examining the incident, alongside investigators and the medical examiner.

Chief Executive of the shipping company announced that passengers and staff on the ship were informed that the continuation of the cruise had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and previous technical problems".

In a statement, he mentioned that guests would be provided a full refund, and said the company was working "to arrange the homeward trips of the travelers via private aircraft".

Regulatory bodies also released an revised statement, and said they had "provided a notice to the Commander" banning any further travelers from getting on the ship.

The official said that they would visit the ship in the port city upon its coming back.

Timeline of Incidents

The liner first departed the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was only 48 hours into the voyage at the moment of the senior passenger's passing. The remote island was the opening port on the journey.

Travelers on board - who usually pay large sums of currency to participate in the expedition - were taken there for a daily excursion with the choice of hiking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Reaction

The daughter of the victim said that her family was "stunned and saddened that the liner left Lizard Island after an scheduled outing without my mum".

In her statement, she described her mother as an "active octogenarian" who was a affiliate of a bushwalking club.

"From the little facts we have been informed, it looks that there was a lapse of care and basic judgment," she said.

She continued that she desired the inquiry would be able to identify what "the company should have undertaken that might have protected Her existence".

"We understand from the police that it was a extremely warm afternoon, and mother took sick on the mountain ascent," she stated.

"They requested her to head down, alone. Then the ship left, seemingly without doing a headcount.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or soon after, mother died, without company."

Operator Reaction

In a statement, the Head verified that the operator was "cooperating fully with authorities to aid their inquiry".

He stated that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has happened" and had offered its full support to the relatives.

Shipping Sector Practices

The liner accommodates up to one hundred twenty travelers with 46 crew, according to company details. It was specially constructed to reach isolated locations of the Australian shoreline and is outfitted with "small boats" - minor craft used to ferry travelers on land visits.

Occurrences of this nature are infrequent, and cruise ships have procedures to record which travelers are embarking or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Leaving covertly or [back] on the ship really isn't an option," an authority stated.

Cruise lines regard these methods with great importance and have "sophisticated systems in place to stop such occurrences from happening," the authority continued.

"This seems to be probably a stunning - and unfortunate - single occurrence."