Melbourne Man Goes Overboard from Disney Wonder, Delaying Arrival in Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand — A Disney cruise ship headed to Auckland has been delayed after a 73-year-old man from Melbourne fell overboard on Saturday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. as the Disney Wonder sailed through the Tasman Sea.

According to reports from Victoria Police, the cruise ship turned back around noon to conduct a search for the man, who was later identified as a resident of Moonee Ponds. The crew utilized thermal-imaging cameras and scoured the area for five hours but were unable to locate him.

A spokeswoman for Victoria Police stated that a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the incident. They confirmed the man’s body had yet to be recovered.

Passenger Kelly Spice, who was on board the Wonder with her family, recalled noticing the ship changing direction during breakfast. “A few rumors started going around the ship about a stricken vessel that the crew was searching for,” she said.

The ship’s captain later announced to passengers that there was a man overboard but withheld further details, citing confidentiality. Fellow passenger Mitch Talbot described the atmosphere as “sombre” and “eerie,” noting the staff seemed affected as well.

As a result of the search and recovery efforts, the Disney Wonder is now expected to arrive in Auckland around 1 p.m. on Sunday, five hours later than initially planned. Approximately 600 passengers are currently aboard the vessel, which is on a five-day voyage from Melbourne to Auckland.

In an online discussion group for cruise guests, several passengers expressed concern that they might miss connecting flights due to the delay. The Disney Cruise Line announced earlier this year that the Wonder would not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2026-27 season.

Set to depart for Honolulu after its last voyage across the region, the Disney Wonder first began sailing around New Zealand last October.