Woman found dead on cruise ship

A WOMAN was found dead on board a cruise ship called the Pacific Jewel, which was docked off the coast of Queensland on the weekend.

P&O’s Pacific Jewel left Sydney last week. Pic: John Grainger

A WOMAN was found dead on board a cruise ship docked off the coast of Cairns at the weekend.

Queensland Police confirmed they were called on board the P&O Pacific Jewel cruise ship on Saturday afternoon after reports a 79-year-old woman had died.

Police said it was believed the woman had passed away shortly around breakfast time to suspected natural causes, despite some media reports it was from gastro.

Staff on board the cruise ship notified police about the death of the woman on Saturday morning.

A spokesperson from P&O cruise said there was no reported outbreak of gastroenteritis on board the ship.

“The woman did sadly pass away on board our ship on Saturday,” she said.

“But there is no report of a gastro outbreak on board.

“Our thoughts are with the family during this time.”

The ship was understood to have been travelling from Sydney for a 10-day coastal cruise.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.