Search Continues After Passenger Falls From Disney Wonder

An elderly Australian passenger is missing after going overboard from the Disney Wonder during a cruise to New Zealand.

The 73 year old man from Melbourne is believed to have fallen from the ship at around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday as the vessel made its way toward Auckland.

Crew members turned the ship around in the Tasman Sea and carried out a five hour search using thermal imaging equipment, but they were unable to locate him.

According to passengers, the ship noticeably altered course around midday as the rescue effort took place.

Passenger Mitch Talbot told 7News: “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.

“It was quite sombre and it was just a bit eerie for the rest of the day. A lot of the staff kind of took some time.”

The Disney Wonder is operating a five night itinerary from Melbourne to Auckland and can accommodate up to 1,750 guests across 11 decks.

The ship was on one of its final sailings before Disney Cruise Line pauses its Australia program for the coming year. It has since continued on its journey and is expected to reach New Zealand on Wednesday, a day later than originally scheduled.