Child falls overboard on Disney Dream cruise; father jumps in to rescue her

A child fell overboard from the Disney Dream cruise ship on June 29, prompting a dramatic rescue at sea when her father jumped in after her.

The ship, operated by Disney Cruise Line, was returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from a four-night Bahamian cruise when the incident occurred.

According to a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson, the ship’s crew acted swiftly. “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,” the statement said. The emergency was marked by the “Mr. M.O.B.” (man overboard) code broadcast over the intercom system.

Passengers confirmed the incident happened while the ship was still at sea, not docked. The child reportedly fell from Deck 4, which features a walking track and plexiglass safety barriers. The father leaped into the ocean immediately after. Within minutes, crew members deployed life preservers and a rescue boat, successfully retrieving both individuals.

One cruiser, Kevin Furuta, shared on Facebook, “A girl fell overboard from the 4th deck & her dad went in after her ... Thankfully the DCL rescue team was on it immediately and both were saved!”

Disney Dream, like other Disney cruise ships, is equipped with advanced overboard detection systems that help alert crew in real time to such incidents.

The rescue underscores the importance of maritime safety systems and rapid crew response. The cruise had included a stop at Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point before returning to the U.S.