Heroic Father Rescues Daughter After She Falls Overboard on Disney Cruise Ship

The father and daughter were rescued in a matter of minutes, travelers onboard said

A dramatic rescue unfolded Sunday aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship when a young girl fell overboard from the fourth deck — prompting her father to leap into the ocean after her and keep her afloat until they were both safely rescued.

The incident occurred as the vessel was sailing from Florida to the Bahamas. Passengers were jolted by an urgent alert over the ship’s public address system: “Mr. MOB … port side!” — the maritime emergency code for “man overboard.”

A father and daughter were rescued from the ocean 20 minutes after the girl fell off the side of the Disney Dream cruise ship and her dad dived in after her

Eyewitnesses reported that the girl, estimated to be about 5 years old, plunged from one of the lowest publicly accessible decks, which sits roughly 40–50 feet above the ocean. Without hesitation, her father jumped in after her, grabbing hold of the child and treading water for approximately 20 minutes as crew members rushed to respond.

Video footage and social media posts from onboard passengers captured the tense moments as a bright yellow rescue boat was lowered and dispatched to the scene. The father and daughter were spotted drifting away from the ship before being pulled to safety.

The terrifying moment unfolded aboard the Disney Dream as the ship was sailing back to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas

“Lots of praying folks on this ship!” wrote one passenger. Another witness stated, “Both the little girl and dad were successfully rescued. It was incredibly emotional.”

The exact circumstances of how the girl fell remain unclear. Deck 4 of the Disney Dream features bars, a theater, and an outdoor jogging track. Although open-air, the deck is equipped with adult chest-height railings and plexiglass panels designed to prevent climbing or accidental falls.

Disney Cruise Line confirmed the rescue in a statement, applauding the crew’s rapid response. “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.”

The Disney Dream is equipped with an advanced overboard detection system that alerts the crew instantly if someone goes overboard, enabling immediate response.