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One 60-day cruise circling Australia is being halted days after the tragic passing of an senior woman who was stranded by the cruise liner on a isolated island.

The passenger had been walking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the party for a rest. The vessel departed without her and returned several hours later after the ship staff discovered the lady was missing.

A major hunt discovered her body the next day.

Authorities are looking into the tragedy, in coordination with law enforcement and the medical examiner.

Chief Executive of the cruise operator stated that passengers and crew on the ship were informed that the remainder of the cruise had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and earlier mechanical issues".

Through an announcement, he mentioned that passengers would be provided a full refund, and said the company was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the individuals via chartered flights".

Officials also issued an revised communication, and said they had "delivered a directive to the Master" banning any further travelers from entering the liner.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the ship in the port city upon its return.

Sequence of Occurrences

The ship initially left the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the time of the elderly woman's demise. The tropical location was the first stop on the itinerary.

Travelers on board - who generally pay substantial amounts of money to join the voyage - were ferried there for a day trip with the possibility of walking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Reaction

The daughter of the victim said that her family was "surprised and grieved that the ship left Lizard Island after an scheduled excursion without my mother".

Via her announcement, she described her parent as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a affiliate of a bushwalking organization.

"From the little facts we have been told, it seems that there was a breakdown of care and basic judgment," she said.

She added that she desired the inquiry would be able to determine what "the operator should have undertaken that might have preserved Her existence".

"Based on information from the authorities that it was a very hot period, and she became unwell on the hill climb," she explained.

"They requested her to go back, unescorted. Then the ship departed, reportedly without performing a roll call.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or shortly after, she passed away, without company."

Operator Position

Via official communication, the Head verified that the company was "working closely with authorities to aid their investigation".

He mentioned that the organization was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had provided its total backing to the loved ones.

Maritime Business Standards

The ship serves up to 120 travelers with 46 crew, according to company details. It was specially constructed to enter distant regions of the nation's coast and is outfitted with "tenders" - small boats used to transport passengers on land visits.

Occurrences of this nature are uncommon, and liners have systems to track which travelers are embarking or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard simply isn't an possibility," a specialist commented.

Cruise lines take these processes with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such events from taking place," the expert continued.

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