By Peter Walsh, Founder, The Cruise Injury Law Firm
July 2, 2025
A few days ago, a terrifying scene unfolded aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship. A young child went overboard while the vessel was returning from the Bahamas. Her father jumped in after her.
Both were rescued within minutes—thanks to the quick action of the crew and the ship’s emergency protocols. The story made headlines, and rightly so. It could have ended in heartbreak.
But for those of us who work in cruise safety, this was also a wake-up call. Or at least, it should be.
Overboard Incidents: Rare, But Far From Impossible
Man overboard incidents aren’t frequent—but when they happen, they escalate fast. Response time matters. Technology helps. But prevention? That’s where the real conversation starts.
We’re not involved in this particular case, and we won’t speculate. But in our legal practice, we’ve handled too many cases where passengers went overboard due to safety failures that could’ve—and should’ve—been fixed.
The questions always follow the same pattern:
- How easy was it for someone, especially a child, to reach or climb over the railing?
- Were safety barriers in place and in good condition?
- Was the area supervised? Lit properly? Marked clearly?
- And crucially: Was this preventable?
Too often, the answer is yes.
Credit Where It’s Due—But Let’s Go Further
The Disney Dream’s crew deserves real praise. According to reports, they activated their “Mr. M.O.B.” (Man Overboard) emergency protocol quickly and successfully rescued both the child and her father. That’s what every cruise line should train for.
But the best emergency response is the one you never need.
Man overboard detection systems, rapid deployment teams, and well-rehearsed drills are vital. But they’re only half the picture. Families need to know that the decks themselves are designed to prevent this from happening in the first place.
At The Cruise Injury Law Firm, we’ve worked with families who lost loved ones in situations that were entirely avoidable—cases involving:
- Low or poorly maintained railings
- Obstructed sightlines near deck edges
- Slippery surfaces without warning signs
- Gaps in staff supervision or safety enforcement
These aren’t once-in-a-generation oversights. They’re patterns. And they need to be addressed systemically across the industry.
Summer Cruising Season Is Here—And So Is the Risk
We’re in the peak of cruise season. Ships are full. Families are traveling. Kids are exploring. That means risk is higher than usual—especially for little ones who don’t fully understand their surroundings.
Our message to cruise lines is simple: Safety can’t be reactive. It must be proactive.
And to families: Speak up. Ask questions. Look carefully at where your kids play, walk, and lean. Most importantly, know that if something goes wrong, you’re not alone—and you have rights.
If You’ve Been Affected
If you or someone in your family has been injured—or placed at risk—on a cruise ship, contact our team. We’ve spent decades navigating the complex legal waters of maritime law, and we’re here to help you understand your options, protect your rights, and hold cruise lines accountable when safety fails.
About the Author:
Peter Walsh is a veteran maritime attorney and the founder of The Cruise Injury Law Firm. Based in Miami, Peter has dedicated his career to advocating for cruise passengers and holding cruise lines accountable for preventable injuries and safety violations.
