Every person’s worst nightmare is falling into shark-infested waters. But for one man, that dream has become a reality.

James Michael Grimes was on the cruise ship Carnival Valor with his family in 2022 as it traveled from New Orleans to Mexico.

The 28-year-old had taken part in an air guitar competition on board when he suddenly fell into the ice-cold water and could not remember how he had ended up there.

When it was thrown into the Gulf of Mexico, which is notoriously shark-infested, it was like bait without a line.

For more than twenty hours he fought for his life, treading water, until, miraculously, he was picked up by a passing boat shortly before his death.

His family only learned of his disappearance 12 hours after he fell from the railing of the passenger ship.

In fact, they initially thought he was sleeping in his cabin. The truth, however, was much worse.

Speaking to ABC7, James recalled the moment he fell off the ship: “We were just hanging out, having fun, listening to live music, that was pretty much it.”

Although he admitted to having had a few drinks during the day, he insisted he was not drunk.

He remembered telling his sister before the fall that he was going to the bathroom, and then suddenly he was in the sea.

He said: “I came to and when I regained consciousness I was in the water and there was no boat in sight.

“I can’t float on my own even if I try. So the Lord was with me when I was out there because something was holding me up the whole time I was unconscious.”

He added: “My biggest fear is drowning and that was something I didn’t want to face.

“I wanted to see my family. I was determined to get out of there. I never accepted that this was it, that this would be the end of my life.”

The Alabama native drifted in the water for nearly a day and night while the Coast Guard searched the 7,000-mile stretch of water.

However, he managed to spot a tanker in the distance and swam towards it with “all the strength” that was left in his battered body.

Fortunately, the crew also spotted him and called for help. Shortly afterwards, a helicopter arrived to take him to safety.

James said, “The first thing I said to (the rescuer) was, ‘I have no clothes on,’ because I took off all my clothes,’ and he said, ‘That’s OK.’

“I just thought, ‘Thank you. You’re like a guardian angel coming down for me.'”

Although he almost died, James sees things differently.

He said: “Life is a beach, enjoy the waves. The fall didn’t kill me, the sea creatures didn’t eat me, I feel like I should get out of there.”

If you think he would avoid another cruise, you are wrong.

He actually replied, “I would definitely be willing to take another cruise because I really haven’t had this one.”