A 73-year-old man is presumed dead after going overboard from the Disney Wonder cruise ship early Saturday morning in the Tasman Sea. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2025, as the ship sailed from Melbourne, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand.
Victoria Police confirmed that authorities believe the man jumped from the cruise liner into the waters. The passenger’s identity has not been released to the public. Police stated they are not treating the death as suspicious, and a coroner’s report is currently being prepared.
Once the ship’s crew realized the passenger was missing, the Disney Wonder immediately turned around in the Tasman Sea to conduct an extensive search and rescue operation. The crew searched for approximately five hours using thermal imaging cameras and surveillance equipment, but were unable to locate the man. His body has not been recovered.
Passengers aboard the ship first noticed something unusual around 12 p.m. on Saturday when they observed the vessel had changed course and was circling back through the waters. The captain then made an announcement to inform everyone aboard about the situation.
Mitch Talbot, a passenger on the cruise who did not know the victim, described the atmosphere following the incident. “The captain came on and updated the boat and basically stated that there was someone, a passenger had fallen overboard, but that they were unable to find them,” Talbot said.
He added that the mood on the ship changed dramatically after the announcement. “It was quite somber, and it was just a bit eerie for the rest of the day. A lot of the staff kind of took some time,” he told reporters.
The Disney Wonder departed Melbourne on Nov. 20, 2025, for what was scheduled as a five-day, one-way voyage to Auckland. Due to the extended search operation, the ship’s arrival has been delayed by one day. The vessel is now expected to reach its destination on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, instead of its originally scheduled arrival date.
The Disney Wonder has the capacity to accommodate 1,750 passengers and features 11 decks. The Tasman Sea, where the incident occurred, lies between New Zealand and Australia’s southeast coast and is regarded as one of the most turbulent seas in the world.
The man was from the Moonee Ponds suburb in north Melbourne, according to Victoria Police. Authorities have been working to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident while the ship continues its journey to New Zealand.
This Melbourne to Auckland cruise represents one of the final voyages that Disney Cruise Lines will operate in Australian waters for the foreseeable future. The company announced earlier this year that it would be bidding a “fond farewell for now to Australia” with its 2025-26 season.
Disney Cruise Line stated in August that while the Disney Wonder will not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2026-27 season, sailings from the region remain under strong consideration for future itineraries. The company noted that guest response during local seasons has been overwhelmingly positive.
The final Disney cruise departing from Australian waters is scheduled to leave Sydney on Jan. 30, 2026. That voyage will be a one-way trip from Sydney to Honolulu, marking the conclusion of Disney Cruise Line’s current operations in the region.
Overboard incidents on cruise ships, while relatively rare, present significant challenges for search and rescue teams. The vast expanse of ocean, combined with factors such as water temperature, currents, and the time elapsed before a person is reported missing, all impact the likelihood of a successful rescue. Maritime protocol requires cruise ships to immediately turn around and search when a passenger goes overboard, working in coordination with local authorities.
The cruise industry maintains strict safety procedures and protocols designed to prevent such incidents. Modern cruise ships are equipped with various safety features, including surveillance cameras, crew training programs, and emergency response procedures specifically designed for man overboard situations.
The Disney Cruise Line has not released an official statement regarding the incident. The company typically works closely with local law enforcement and maritime authorities when incidents occur during voyages.
As the investigation continues, passengers aboard the Disney Wonder are proceeding with the remainder of their journey to Auckland. The ship’s crew has been supporting passengers during this difficult time, though many described the atmosphere aboard as noticeably subdued following the incident.
