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An extensive two-month journey around the Australian Coast is being halted following the death of an older lady who was stranded by the cruise liner on a remote tropical isle.

The elderly woman 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 came back later that day after the ship staff became aware the woman was missing.

An extensive rescue mission discovered her remains the following day.

Officials are looking into the incident, alongside law enforcement and the official investigator.

Head of the cruise operator announced that passengers and personnel on the vessel were informed that the continuation of the journey had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and earlier technical problems".

In a statement, he mentioned that guests would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to arrange the return journeys of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Regulatory bodies also released an latest statement, and said they had "issued a directive to the Master" preventing any further travelers from boarding the liner.

The official said that they would visit the liner in Cairns upon its arrival.

Timeline of Incidents

The ship first departed Cairns on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the journey at the point of the 80-year-old's death. The tropical location was the opening port on the itinerary.

Travelers on the vessel - who usually pay tens of thousands of money to take part in the expedition - were ferried there for a daily excursion with the option of trekking or snorkelling.

Relatives Statement

The offspring of the elderly passenger said that her family was "shocked and saddened that the ship left the island after an planned tour without my parent".

Through her comments, she characterized her mother as an "active elderly person" who was a member of a hiking club.

"From the little information we have been informed, it looks that there was a lapse of care and basic judgment," she said.

She further stated that she hoped the investigation would be able to identify what "the organization should have undertaken that might have preserved Her life".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a very hot day, and mum fell ill on the uphill trek," she explained.

"She was asked her to head down, without accompaniment. Then the boat sailed away, apparently without doing a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that sequence, or not long after, mum succumbed, without company."

Company Position

In a statement, the CEO affirmed that the organization was "cooperating fully with authorities to support their investigation".

He stated that the organization was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had provided its complete assistance to the loved ones.

Maritime Business Practices

The ship serves up to 120 travelers with 46 staff, according to official data. It was purpose-built to access isolated locations of Australia's coastline and is equipped with "tenders" - minor craft used to transport individuals on day excursions.

Incidents like this are infrequent, and liners have systems to document which passengers are boarding or disembarking, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] aboard just isn't an option," an authority remarked.

Cruise lines take these procedures with great importance and have "clever tech in place to stop such occurrences from taking place," the authority further stated.

"This is probably a stunning - and tragic - single occurrence."