The exciting experience of a Disney Cruise Line vacation was interrupted by a 5-year-old passenger falling overboard early last week. The harrowing incident thankfully ending in a successful rescue, has drawn national attention—not just because of the miraculous outcome but also due to broader safety concerns about man overboard (MOB) events at sea.

Here’s what we know about the Disney incident—and what you need to know to stay safe and respond effectively if someone falls overboard from a cruise ship.

The Disney Dream Incident

On June 29, 2025, during the final leg of a four-day M/V Disney Dream cruise returning to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas, a 5-year-old girl reportedly fell backward through a porthole on Deck 4 after sitting on a railing. Her father, alerted by the mother, dove in immediately in a desperate effort to save her. He managed to locate his daughter and treaded water for approximately 20 minutes before a rescue tender from the ship retrieved them both.

In an official statement, Disney Cruise Line praised 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.”

Passengers reported hearing the emergency code “Mr. M.O.B.” — short for man overboard — announced over the speakers, witnessed life rings being thrown, and rescue boats deployed almost instantly.

How Common Are Man Overboard Incidents on Cruise Ships? 

While falling overboard from a cruise ship may sound like an outlier, industry data reveals that it happens more frequently than most realize. According to the Cruise Lines International Association reports and 

• Over 200 people have fallen overboard from cruise ships since 2000.
• On average, 20 to 22 incidents occur each year worldwide.
• The survival rate hovers around 20%, with many incidents going unwitnessed or unreported for several minutes or more.
• Most overboard incidents occur on larger cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Line leads with 82 cases, followed by Royal Caribbean International at 67.

While this equates to roughly 1 in every 75,000 passengers, the danger is serious, and survival often hinges on immediate detection and response.

Why Do People Fall Overboard? 

Most overboard incidents are not due to negligence or faulty ship design. Common causes include actions of passengers, such as:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Horseplay or reckless behavior near railings
• Sitting or climbing on balcony railings
• Medical emergencies
• Intentional actions, including suicide attempts

How Are Cruise Lines Working to Prevent This?

Cruising is magical—but make sure you’re covered if things go wrong. Know your rights, act quickly, and don’t let legal fine print sink your claim.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of such an incident, contact an attorney experienced in maritime law and personal injury law such as the team here at Herd Law Firm, to explore and discuss your options.

Final Tips for Staying Safe on a Cruise:

• Never sit on, climb, or lean over railings, no matter how tempting, for a photo or view.
• Always supervise young children on open decks or balconies.
• Teach kids cruise safety rules just as you would teach them about crossing a street.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, especially near railings or pools.
• Report any risky behavior or unsecured areas to the crew immediately.

We at the Herd Law Firm are proud to fight for seamen, maritime workers and passengers in all types of personal injury and death claims. As maritime personal injury attorneys (and sailors ourselves!) located in northwest Houston, we never waver in our commitment to help these maritime workers, passengers, and their families when they are injured or mistreated.

7/8/2025

Sources: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) (Read 2025 report here), International Cruise Victim Lawyers Association (ICVLA.org), Disney Cruise Lines, Maritime Safety Consultants, Inc., U.S. Coast Guard , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)