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An extensive two-month voyage through the Land Down Under is being halted in the wake of the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was left behind by the ship on a distant island.

The elderly woman had been trekking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers from the vessel, but broke off from the party for a pause. The vessel left without her and went back after some time after the personnel realised the woman was not present.

An extensive rescue mission located her person the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the incident, alongside police and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company said that guests and personnel on the ship were told that the remainder of the voyage had been terminated due to the "tragic passing and prior technical problems".

Through an announcement, he further stated that passengers would be provided a full refund, and said the company was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the travelers via specially arranged planes".

Officials also published an revised communication, and said they had "provided a directive to the Commander" prohibiting any further travelers from boarding the vessel.

The representative said that they would visit the liner in Cairns upon its return.

Timeline of Incidents

The liner originally sailed from the coastal city on October 24th, and was merely two days into the expedition at the time of the elderly woman's passing. The tropical location was the opening port on the itinerary.

Guests on the ship - who usually pay substantial amounts of currency to join the voyage - were taken there for a shore visit with the possibility of walking or snorkeling.

Relatives Reaction

The child of the elderly passenger said that her loved ones was "shocked and saddened that the vessel left the location after an planned tour without my parent".

In her statement, she described her mother as an "energetic octogenarian" who was a affiliate of a bushwalking organization.

"Based on limited facts we have been informed, it appears that there was a breakdown of care and ordinary reasoning," she stated.

She further stated that she wished the investigation would be able to identify what "the company should have done that might have protected Mum's life".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a very hot period, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she revealed.

"She was asked her to return, alone. Then the vessel sailed away, reportedly without performing a headcount.

"At a certain moment in that process, or soon after, mum passed away, without company."

Operator Position

In a statement, the Head confirmed that the operator was "cooperating fully with authorities to support their examination".

He said that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had extended its total backing to the family.

Cruise Industry Practices

The liner serves up to 120 guests with 46 personnel, according to corporate information. It was specially constructed to enter remote locations of the Australian coastline and is equipped with "tenders" - small boats used to transport travelers on day excursions.

Events like this are rare, and liners have systems to track which passengers are boarding or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Leaving covertly or [back] aboard simply isn't an option," one expert remarked.

Cruise lines take these procedures extremely carefully and have "sophisticated systems in place to prevent such incidents from taking place," the specialist added.

"This seems to be presumably a shocking - and unfortunate - one-off."