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One two-month voyage through Australia is being halted in the wake of the fatal incident of an older female passenger who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a isolated island.

Suzanne Rees had been hiking on the remote island with other travelers from the vessel, but parted ways from the party for a break. The liner sailed away leaving her and returned after some time after the personnel discovered the lady was not present.

An extensive rescue mission found her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the event, in coordination with investigators and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the shipping company said that passengers and staff on the vessel were informed that the remainder of the journey had been cancelled due to the "unfortunate death and previous technical problems".

Through an announcement, he added that passengers would be issued a total repayment, and said the company was working "to arrange the travel back of the passengers via chartered flights".

Authorities also released an latest announcement, and said they had "provided a notice to the Master" preventing any additional guests from entering the ship.

The representative said that they would attend the liner in the port city upon its return.

Timeline of Incidents

The ship initially left the Australian port on October 24th, and was merely two days into the journey at the moment of the senior passenger's passing. Lizard Island was the first stop on the itinerary.

Travelers on the vessel - who usually pay large sums of money to participate in the voyage - were taken there for a day trip with the choice of hiking or underwater exploration.

Family Reaction

The offspring of the victim said that her loved ones was "stunned and saddened that the vessel left the island after an organised outing without my parent".

Through her comments, she described her parent as an "vigorous octogenarian" who was a member of a walking group.

"From the little information we have been told, it appears that there was a failure of attention and common sense," she said.

She added that she hoped the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the organization should have done that might have protected Her being".

"According to reports from the police that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she revealed.

"Officials suggested her to return, without accompaniment. Then the boat departed, seemingly without performing a passenger count.

"During some point in that sequence, or not long after, she died, alone."

Organization Reaction

Via official communication, the Chief Executive verified that the organization was "cooperating fully with authorities to support their examination".

He said that the company was "very regretful that this has happened" and had extended its complete assistance to the relatives.

Shipping Sector Procedures

The liner accommodates up to 120 travelers with 46 staff, according to corporate data. It was specifically designed to enter distant areas of Australia's coastline and is equipped with "small boats" - compact vessels used to take passengers on land visits.

Events such as this are rare, and liners have protocols to record which travelers are embarking or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Leaving covertly or [back] onboard really isn't an option," a specialist remarked.

Vessel operators take these processes extremely carefully and have "sophisticated systems in place to avoid such events from happening," the authority continued.

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