Father leaps from Disney Dream cruise ship to rescue daughter
Disney dream cruise ship. Universal Images Group via Getty
On Sunday, June 29, passengers aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship were jolted from vacation mode into a moment of terror and awe when a young girl fell overboard, and her father jumped in after her, determined to save her life.
The incident occurred as the Disney Dream was returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from a four-night Bahamian cruise that included a stop at Disney’s private island, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. According to eyewitness accounts and multiple reports, the child tumbled from the ship’s fourth deck into the Atlantic Ocean. Without hesitation, her father vaulted over the railing and plunged in after her.
The emergency was broadcast shipwide with a chilling announcement: “Man overboard, port side!” Passengers rushed to the railings, gasping in disbelief as they watched the crisis unfold. “It was so intense to watch,” recalled Janice Martin-Asuque, a fellow passenger who posted video footage of the dramatic rescue to Facebook.
For nearly 20 minutes, the father managed to tread water and keep his daughter afloat in the choppy sea, even as the ship continued moving, putting more distance between them. Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line’s crew sprang into action. A yellow rescue boat was rapidly deployed, slicing through the waves to retrieve the pair.
In video shared by passenger Dewayne Smith, the lifeboat can be seen maneuvering through the open water as onlookers lined the decks, many praying and anxiously watching. Relief swept across the ship when crew members successfully hauled the father and daughter aboard. Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd as the two were safely returned to the ship.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, both the father and daughter were reported to be uninjured. Disney Cruise Line issued a statement praising its crew:
“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.”
While many are hailing the father as a hero, and rightly so, the incident has also raised concerns about how the fall occurred in the first place. Deck 4, where the girl fell, features a jogging track and is lined with protective plexiglass panels. Some passengers speculated online that the father may have briefly seated his daughter on the railing before she slipped.
The Disney Dream, a $900 million vessel capable of carrying over 3,500 passengers, was built in 2010 and most recently refurbished in 2024. The ship is renowned for its family-friendly amenities and stringent safety measures. These protocols were clearly tested and proven effective in this moment of crisis.
In the end, what could have ended in tragedy became a story of swift action, human courage, and teamwork. It serves as a reminder of both the unpredictability of life at sea and the lengths to which a parent will go to protect their child.