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Disney Cruise Rescue as Child Falls Off Ship, Father Jumps In: What to Know

By Isabel van Brugen, News Reporter
Published June 29, 2025

The Disney Dream cruise ship, where a child fell overboard on Sunday. (Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

A Disney Cruise Line vacation descended into chaos on Sunday after a child reportedly fell overboard from the Disney Dream, prompting her father to heroically jump in after her.

The incident unfolded as the ship was returning to Fort Lauderdale from a four-night Bahamian cruise. Both the child and her father were promptly rescued from the water, with passengers and Disney officials praising the crew's swift and effective response.

The Rescue Operation

On Sunday, the emergency code "Mr. M.O.B." (man overboard) was announced over the ship's intercom, alerting crew members to respond immediately. Passengers onboard took to social media to share firsthand accounts of the dramatic rescue.

"A girl fell overboard from the 4th deck & her dad went in after her," wrote passenger Kevin Furuta in a Facebook post. "Right after the incident we heard on the loud speaker MOB Port side!! Thankfully the DCL rescue team was on it immediately and both were saved!"

Another passenger, Shannon Pechaek Lindholm, shared an image of the rescue boat, adding: "This was the boat that went in and brought them BOTH back safely. DCL for the win! It was a fast and furious quick rescue, truly a miracle x2."

How Common Are Overboard Incidents?

While terrifying, overboard incidents on cruise ships are statistically rare. A 2022 report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) notes there are roughly 20 to 25 such incidents per year. With over 25 million passengers sailing annually, this translates to about one incident per million cruisers. However, survival rates are low, with one dataset showing only a 17-25% rescue rate.

"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."

- Disney Cruise Line Statement

The Disney Dream, launched in 2011, is one of the largest ships in the Disney fleet and is now en route back to Port Everglades, Florida, following the successful rescue.