Key Aspects:
- An unidentified man fell off the pier in Nassau on Sunday, November 16, next to Norwegian Encore.
- Nearby crew members quickly lowered a ladder and the man was helped safely out of the water.
- The man has not been identified, but he did not appear to be injured in the brief but unexpected incident.
Swimming can be a great activity on any cruise, whether it is spending time in the pool onboard or enjoying a beach day at a fabulous port of call. One man, however, went for an unexpected dip while in Nassau when he fell off the pier between the gangways for Norwegian Encore.
The incident happened on Sunday, November 16, 2025, while Norwegian Encore made an unexpected stop in the capital of the Bahamas. The ship had departed Miami for a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary on Saturday, November 15.
Initially, Norwegian Encore had planned to visit Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, on Sunday. Rough waves made tendering impossible, however, and the ship visited Nassau instead, where it could safely dock.
A number of videos circulating on social media captured the incident, showing the man in the water between the ship and the pier, clinging to a life ring.
It took just a couple of minutes for crew members to grab a nearby ladder and help the man out of the water. There are no reports that he was injured in any way – other than possibly his pride!
No further information on the man’s identity, age, or even whether he was a guest or passenger has been confirmed.
Bystanders who witnessed the incident described that the man either fell from the dock or had just stepped onto the gangway when he slipped and fell into the water.
Cruise Hive has reached out to NCL regarding the incident and will update this post as more details become available.
How Easy Is It to Fall Off a Pier?
It’s easier than many cruise guests might realize to fall off a dock or pier, even when a huge cruise ship is docked.
Ships do not rub directly on the pier structure, which would cause damage to a vessel’s hull and could also damage the pier itself. Thick rubber bumpers are floated next to the pier to serve as a cushion between the ship and the dock.
Read Also: What Happens If You Jump Off a Cruise Ship?
In between these large bumpers, there is often a gap of several feet where an adult could easily slip through if they weren’t cautious. It is over this gap that the ship’s gangway ramps are positioned. While gangways do have railings to prevent falls, it could be possible to slip off the very end of the gangway.
Just a short stumble or even a misstep if one is checking a phone or otherwise not paying attention to their footing could lead to an unexpected shipside dip.
Fortunately, the bumpers that keep the ship from rubbing the dock also ensure that it is unlikely someone in the water would be crushed, so long as they can stay calm and tread water.
The most dangerous situation would be if someone was unable to swim or float, as they might sink down below the ship and be unable to find their way to the surface.
Other Pier Incidents
This is not the first time a cruise guest has fallen from a pier into the water. In August 2025, a guest on a preview sailing of Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas stepped off the pier while walking along the dock filming the ship. Whoops!
In June 2025, an individual performed a shocking stunt on the pier in Juneau, Alaska and deliberately leapt off into the water, most likely as part of attempting to create a viral video. Due to security in the area, that person was likely a cruise guest.
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Slippery docks, poor weather, or unstable gangways have all contributed to accidental dunkings from cruise ship piers, though thankfully, these incidents are rare and generally are resolved quickly and without injuries.
Guests should always be careful when walking on a dock or pier, keeping well away from the edge and watching their footing to avoid such mishaps.
