Parents of cruise ship survivors speak on first contact with children

SEARCY, AR - "The crew members in charge were saying don't jump don't jump and yet the ship was leaning over further and further," said John Baines.

John and Donna Baines are only now starting to feel relief after learning the cruise liner carrying their son Justin, daughter, Sarah, and their spouses crashed just hours after taking to sea.

"They had had to jump into the water and swim about 100 yards to this big rock," said mother, Donna Baines.

The Baines' first heard from daughter Sarah late Saturday night where she explained to her parents the only choice they had was to jump into the cold water off Italy's coast.

"Where they were is under water," said Donna. "That's what she said on the phone. She said that part is totally under water now so we couldn't have made it if we'd have stayed on like they told us to."

Now, relief for these parents knowing all four of their loved ones are safe.

"We're so thankful to the good Lord that they're safe and we are just incredibly proud of them," said Donna.

The Baines say since their childrens' passports were locked up in a safe with all other passengers passports on the ship, it will be days before they return to the U.S. but they're parents will be waiting at the airport with open arms once they land safely back here in Arkansas.