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An extensive extended voyage around the Australian Coast has been cancelled in the wake of the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a isolated coastal location.

The passenger had been hiking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the Coral Adventurer, but broke off from the excursion for a rest. The vessel sailed away leaving her and came back several hours later after the crew realised the woman was missing.

A major rescue mission discovered her body the subsequent day.

Officials are investigating the incident, in coordination with law enforcement and the state coroner.

Head of the voyage organizer said that travelers and crew on the vessel were notified that the continuation of the cruise had been terminated due to the "tragic passing and previous technical problems".

Via official communication, he further stated that travelers would be issued a full refund, and said the company was working "to arrange the return journeys of the individuals via specially arranged planes".

Officials also published an updated announcement, and said they had "provided a notice to the Commander" preventing any new passengers from entering the liner.

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

Timeline of Occurrences

The ship first departed the Australian port on October 24th, and was merely two days into the expedition at the point of the elderly woman's demise. The tropical location was the first stop on the itinerary.

Travelers on board - who typically pay large sums of dollars to participate in the cruise - were transported there for a day trip with the possibility of walking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Statement

The daughter of the victim said that her loved ones was "surprised and distressed that the vessel left the location after an organised outing without my parent".

In her statement, she portrayed her mother as an "active elderly person" who was a member of a bushwalking organization.

"From the little details we have been told, it appears that there was a breakdown of responsibility and ordinary reasoning," she said.

She added that she hoped the examination would be able to identify what "the company should have done that might have protected Her existence".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a extremely warm period, and mother fell ill on the hill climb," she explained.

"Officials suggested her to head down, without accompaniment. Then the ship left, seemingly without conducting a roll call.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or shortly after, mother succumbed, alone."

Operator Reaction

Through an announcement, the Chief Executive affirmed that the company was "collaborating extensively with investigators to assist their investigation".

He stated that the organization was "deeply sorry that this has transpired" and had provided its full support to the family.

Shipping Sector Standards

The ship caters for up to 120 guests with forty-six staff, according to corporate data. It was purpose-built to enter distant areas of Australia's shoreline and is fitted with "tenders" - minor craft used to ferry travelers on land visits.

Events like this are rare, and cruise ships have systems to record which travelers are getting on or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an choice," an authority commented.

Shipping companies consider these procedures very seriously and have "sophisticated systems in place to avoid such events from happening," the specialist further stated.

"This appears to be most likely a shocking - and sad - isolated incident."