Federal Charges Filed After Cruise Passenger Jumps Ship Over Gambling Debt

• Passenger jumped ship to escape $16,710 casino gambling debt
• Authorities seized $14,600 cash, phones, and multiple fake IDs

A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger who jumped ship to avoid paying a $16K gambling debt is now in federal custody, authorities said Tuesday.

Jey Gonzalez-Diaz leapt into the water as the ship, the Rhapsody of the Seas, was disembarking at the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday. He was fished out of the water by a passing jet-skier and taken ashore — a moment that was captured by surveillance cameras.

Multiple IDs

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) caught up with Diaz shortly after near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building. He was carrying $14,600 in cash in a plastic bag, two phones, a handbag, and five IDs under different names, according to court documents.

CBP agents discovered that Diaz had used the name “Jeremy Diaz” to board the cruise. Later, they discovered that this was in fact the name of his brother, who has been incarcerated at the Guaynabo federal prison in Puerto Rico since January 2025 for drug trafficking and weapons possession.

Diaz told officials he had jumped overboard because he feared he would be taxed on the cash he had in his possession.

Diaz refused to be interviewed by Homeland Security Agents. He’s been charged with attempting to avoid monetary reporting requirements when traveling into the United States. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison or a maximum fine of $250K, or both.

Similar Case Ended in Tragedy

Diaz’s premature disembarkation appears to have been a desperate bid to dodge paying the bill, but not every overboard story ends in rescue.

Cases like Dixon’s have fueled criticism of how some cruise lines run their casinos. Critics say aggressive marketing, “free cruise” incentives, and easy access to credit can encourage people to gamble far beyond their means — sometimes with tragic consequences.