A father made a heroic leap into the ocean to save his young daughter after she fell overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship returning to South Florida. The dramatic incident occurred on Sunday aboard the Disney Dream while sailing between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale. According to passengers and videos shared on social media, the father acted immediately, jumping into the water after his daughter.
An emergency alert was sounded throughout the ship as crew members quickly launched a rescue boat and deployed life preservers. Passenger Laura Amador described the scene, noting how fast the ship moved, causing the father and daughter to quickly become small dots in the vast ocean. The captain slowed the ship and initiated a turn, enabling a rescue team to reach them.
The Disney Dream arrived at Port Everglades early Monday morning after completing a four-night cruise. The identities of the father and daughter remain undisclosed. A TikTok user captured footage of the father treading water with his daughter in his arms before handing her over to the rescue crew.
Passengers reacted with relief and admiration, cheering when the rescue was successfully completed. Many expressed their emotional responses, with one passenger, Tracy Robinson-Hughes, describing the father as a hero for his courageous act. The incident caused widespread anguish among witnesses, many of whom were grateful for the quick response of the crew.
Cruise expert Amanda Berry commended the successful rescue but noted that parents should be more vigilant in monitoring their children on cruises. She highlighted the rarity of survival in such situations, emphasizing the effectiveness of the Disney staff in this particular instance. A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson praised crew members for their prompt actions, reaffirming the company’s commitment to guest safety.