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An extensive extended cruise circling the Land Down Under is being halted in the wake of the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was stranded by the vessel on a distant island.

The elderly woman had been hiking on the remote island with fellow passengers from the vessel, but broke off from the excursion for a pause. The vessel departed without her and went back later that day after the crew realised the woman was unaccounted for.

A large-scale hunt located her body the following day.

Investigative bodies are examining the event, in coordination with law enforcement and the state coroner.

Head of the shipping company announced that guests and crew on the ship were told that the remainder of the journey had been cancelled due to the "sad loss and earlier engine troubles".

Via official communication, he added that guests would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to coordinate the travel back of the travelers via private aircraft".

Authorities also released an latest announcement, and said they had "delivered a directive to the Commander" banning any further travelers from entering the vessel.

The official said that they would inspect the vessel in Cairns upon its coming back.

Sequence of Incidents

The ship first departed the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was just two days into the journey at the moment of the 80-year-old's demise. Lizard Island was the initial destination on the voyage.

Passengers on the vessel - who usually pay large sums of money to take part in the voyage - were taken there for a shore visit with the option of trekking or snorkeling.

Next of Kin Statement

The daughter of the elderly passenger said that her relatives was "shocked and distressed that the ship left the island after an organised outing without my parent".

Through her comments, she characterized her mother as an "energetic octogenarian" who was a member of a walking club.

"According to scant facts we have been told, it appears that there was a lapse of responsibility and basic judgment," she stated.

She further stated that she desired the investigation would be able to identify what "the organization should have done that might have preserved Mum's life".

"According to reports from the investigators that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother fell ill on the uphill trek," she explained.

"They requested her to return, without accompaniment. Then the boat departed, reportedly without performing a headcount.

"During some point in that process, or soon after, mum passed away, without company."

Operator Reaction

Via official communication, the Head verified that the company was "collaborating extensively with officials to assist their examination".

He said that the firm was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had provided its full support to the family.

Cruise Industry Practices

The ship caters for up to a hundred twenty guests with 46 crew, according to official information. It was purpose-built to access remote locations of the nation's shoreline and is outfitted with "tenders" - compact vessels used to ferry passengers on shore trips.

Events of this nature are uncommon, and liners have procedures to track which passengers are boarding or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard just isn't an option," a specialist remarked.

Cruise lines regard these methods very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to stop such incidents from taking place," the authority continued.

"This is presumably a stunning - and sad - one-off."