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An extensive two-month journey around the Land Down Under is being halted in the wake of the tragic passing of an senior woman who was left behind by the cruise liner on a remote coastal location.

The passenger had been hiking on the remote island with shipmates from the vessel, but separated from the party for a rest. The vessel left without her and returned after some time after the ship staff became aware the passenger was unaccounted for.

A major rescue mission located her person the subsequent day.

Officials are examining the event, alongside investigators and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company stated that guests and personnel on the ship were notified that the remainder of the cruise had been cancelled due to the "sad loss and previous technical problems".

Through an announcement, he further stated that passengers would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to organize the return journeys of the travelers via chartered flights".

Authorities also published an revised announcement, and said they had "issued a order to the Master" prohibiting any new passengers from entering the vessel.

The spokesperson said that they would visit the vessel in Cairns upon its coming back.

Chronology of Incidents

The vessel initially left the coastal city on 24 October, and was just two days into the expedition at the time of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the opening port on the itinerary.

Travelers on board - who generally pay large sums of money to participate in the voyage - were ferried there for a daily excursion with the choice of walking or snorkelling.

Relatives Statement

The daughter of the elderly passenger said that her relatives was "surprised and grieved that the ship left the island after an organised tour without my mother".

Via her announcement, she characterized her parent as an "energetic elderly person" who was a participant of a bushwalking club.

"Based on limited facts we have been told, it seems that there was a breakdown of responsibility and common sense," she said.

She added that she hoped the examination would be able to pinpoint what "the operator should have done that might have protected Her life".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm day, and she became unwell on the mountain ascent," she stated.

"They requested her to return, alone. Then the boat left, reportedly without doing a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that process, or soon after, she passed away, alone."

Organization Reaction

Through an announcement, the CEO confirmed that the company was "collaborating extensively with officials to assist their inquiry".

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

Shipping Sector Practices

The ship serves up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty crew, according to corporate data. It was specially constructed to reach isolated regions of the Australian coast and is equipped with "small boats" - minor craft used to transport travelers on shore trips.

Events like this are uncommon, and liners have protocols to track which travelers are getting on or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

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

Cruise lines consider these processes with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such incidents from happening," the specialist continued.

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