A dramatic rescue unfolded aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship when a child fell overboard and her father jumped into the ocean to save her. The incident occurred on June 29 while the ship was en route back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a four-night Bahamian voyage.
Emergency at Sea
According to multiple eyewitness accounts and Disney Cruise Line’s official statement, the young girl fell from Deck 4, which features a walking track enclosed with plexiglass safety barriers. Without hesitation, her father dove in after her.
Passengers reported hearing the ship-wide emergency code “Mr. M.O.B.” — a term used to alert crew of a man overboard. Crew members quickly responded, throwing life rings into the water and deploying a rescue boat to retrieve both individuals.
“The ship was moving quickly, so quickly, it’s crazy how fast the people became tiny dots in the sea,” passenger Laura Amador told CBS News Miami. “The captain slowed the ship, turned it around, and then they deployed a tender ship with people on it to go get them.”
NEW: Father jumps overboard to save his 5-year-old daughter, who fell off a Disney cruise ship from the 4th deck into the ocean.
The ship was heading back to South Florida when the intense rescue was made.
“The ship was moving quickly, so quickly, it’s crazy how quickly the… pic.twitter.com/PTGmAzZJ7O
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 30, 2025
Rapid Crew Response
Disney Cruise Line praised its crew for their swift and effective actions.
“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,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement. “We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
Onboard witness Kevin Furuta shared on Facebook that the child fell from the 4th deck and the father jumped in right after. “Thankfully, the DCL rescue team was on it immediately and both were saved,” Furuta wrote.
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How It Happened
The ship was in open water, sailing between Disney’s private island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and South Florida. It remains unclear how the child managed to fall overboard, especially considering the safety barriers in place. Like many modern cruise ships, the Disney Dream is outfitted with overboard detection systems to alert staff of such incidents.
The father reportedly treaded water for more than 10 minutes before help arrived. The rescue boat was deployed quickly, bringing both the child and her father back onboard safely.
Emotional Moments Onboard
While the rescue was a success, it was an emotional ordeal for those witnessing it. “I saw the mother crying, and when they rescued them, that’s when the tears really started flowing,” one passenger told CBS News. “You were just so overjoyed knowing, and I prayed to God to save them, and He did.”
Cruisegoers expressed relief and gratitude for the outcome, praising the crew’s professionalism and composure in a high-stress situation.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Praise
Social media posts from passengers and observers quickly went viral. Many praised the bravery of the father and the crew’s quick response.
“Incredible! Fathers that sacrifice it all for their family. He’s a freaking hero!,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another commented, “Great job from everyone. The fact that the rescue crew was able to get to him within 10 minutes is pretty remarkable.”
Incredible! Fathers that sacrifice it all for their family.
He’s a freaking hero!
— Gentry Gevers (@gentrywgevers) June 30, 2025
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The weight of being a father we don’t talk about a lot is you literally have to be ready to die to save your children at any given second.
Thank God for strong fathers.
Father jumps overboard to save his 5-year-old daughter, who fell off a Disney cruise ship 👇 pic.twitter.com/yBfFuJUXZO
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) June 30, 2025
The story has prompted discussions about cruise ship safety and the role of technology and human readiness in handling maritime emergencies.
