An air and sea search is under way for a man who disappeared after he was reported to have gone overboard from a cruise ship off the Queensland coast.

The man, aged in his 70s, was reported missing off the coast of Brisbane about 2am on Saturday.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which has been tasked with co-ordinating the search and rescue operation, said it was notified "a person had been lost overboard" approximately 30km northeast of Moreton Island.

The man "apparently climbed over the safety railing and jumped overboard", Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement.

"The male guest was travelling with family, who alerted the ship's crew of a possible missing person," a Carnival spokesperson said.

"A review of the CCTV footage confirmed the guest's action."

Challenger jets, five rescue helicopters and six surface vessels have been deployed to the area as part of a multi-agency search.

Queensland Police are also assisting with the operation.