Australian Cruise Cancelled After Passenger Left Behind and Found Dead

November 3, 2025

A luxury cruise aboard the Coral Adventurer ended early after an 80-year-old passenger, Suzanne Rees from Sydney, was left behind on Lizard Island and found dead the next day. 

Ms. Rees joined a guided hike to the summit of Cook’s Look on the remote island, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef region. She became unwell and chose to return to the ship by herself. The vessel left before she got back, and the crew only realized she was missing hours later. 

Her body was discovered the following morning after a land and sea search-and-rescue operation. The cruise company, Coral Expeditions, announced they would cancel the rest of the trip due to the tragic incident and previous mechanical problems with the ship. All passengers will receive full refunds, and arrangements have been made for their return flights. 

Authorities, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Queensland police, have started investigations to see if the usual safety and passenger-accounting procedures were followed. AMSA has issued a notice that prevents new passengers from boarding the ship until the inquiry is finished. 

Ms. Rees’s daughter, Katherine, criticized how the situation was handled, saying, “From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense.” The incident has raised broader questions about safety protocols for excursions during high-end cruises, particularly regarding the effectiveness of head-count systems to ensure all passengers are on board before departure.