What could have been a very tragic situation was quickly averted after a young girl fell overboard from Disney Dream and her father jumped in to save her on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Guests onboard heard the “M.O.B. port side!” call [man overboard] over the ship’s public address system, alerting crew members to the emergency.
The onboard rescue team reacted immediately, tossing life preservers into the water and launching the ship’s pilot craft to rescue the two guests.
The ship was enjoying a day at sea as the final day of the 4-night Bahamas cruise on the way back to Fort Lauderdale when the incident occurred.
The child reportedly fell from Deck 4, where the ship features a walking/jogging track and open viewing ports. There are no guest staterooms on that deck, just a variety of public spaces.
The girl’s father jumped in right after her in an attempt to rescue his daughter and ensure she was safe.
There is no clear indication of how she fell overboard, however. Solid bulkheads ring the deck and the railings are high enough to keep children from accidentally falling.
It took less than 30 minutes for the ship to turn, for the rescue boat to be deployed, and for rescuers to reach the father and daughter and bring them safely back aboard.
While Disney Dream was underway at the time, the ship would not have been moving at top speed. Cruise ships often reduce speed on sea days to minimize wind and motion for a more comfortable onboard experience, especially on the open decks.
Still, it is challenging to quickly turn a 130,000-gross ton cruise ship and bring it back to a specific point. During that time, the overboard guests would need to tread water or float as they wait for the rescue craft.
“The crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water,” a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson confirmed.
“We commend our crew members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
Fortunately, no major injuries are reported for either guest. It is hoped they are both safe and well, enjoying the final night of their Disney cruise vacation.
Further investigation will likely be made to determine just how the young girl went overboard. Camera footage may be reviewed, as well as inspections of the deck and nearby areas made to ensure safety compliance.
This would help ensure that proper protocols are in place to minimize any risk of future incidents.
Disney Dream will return to Fort Lauderdale as planned on Monday morning, June 30. There should be no delay nor any impact for the next sailing, a 5-night Bahamian cruise to Nassau and both of Disney Cruise Line’s private islands, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Better Efficiency Means Better Safety
This is not the first time that Disney Cruise Line crew members have made a significant difference in rescue operations.
Just one month ago, a smooth airlift evacuation from Disney Fantasy during the ship’s transatlantic sailing to Europe undoubtedly helped save the life of a guest. A military helicopter performed the actual airlift, but the crew onboard the cruise ship ensured the smooth operation.
Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation
All cruise lines run frequent training and drills for crew members to practice and perfect emergency operations.
I was aboard a 5-night sailing on Disney Magic two weeks ago. During that time not only was there the typical safety briefing for guests at the beginning of the voyage – Disney Cruise Line does a full, in-person muster drill – but there was also another large training drill for crew members.
Such training ensures that if an emergency does happen, everyone can respond quickly and efficiently for the best possible outcome.
