Man arrested after jumping off cruise to allegedly escape $16,000 debt

A gentleman was taken into custody following his jump from a Royal Caribbean cruise vessel. Authorities claim that his sudden move was prompted by an outstanding $16,000 debt related to gaming activities onboard.

In most cases, when someone falls from a cruise ship, it’s considered an urgent matter requiring immediate attention. This calls for the quick deployment of lifeboats, alerts to nearby vessels, and informing everyone aboard about the situation as well.

In the case of Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, he did not accidentally fall from the ship, but rather intentionally leapt overboard. Gonzalez-Diaz deliberately jumped from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas as it was approaching the Port of San Juan in Costa Rica.

Approximately at 9:15 am local time, the ship plunged into the water. Later, a Good Samaritan on a jet ski retrieved it from the sea. Gonzalez-Diaz was eventually apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents for allegedly attempting to skirt financial reporting obligations when entering the United States.

The man informed authorities, as stated in the criminal complaint, that he decided not to declare the money he was carrying because he believed he would have to pay taxes or duties upon entering the country with it.

Upon further examination, it emerged that he reportedly owed Royal Caribbean $16,710.24. This debt wasn’t just from an extravagant room service bill; rather, the complaint stated that the majority of this amount was connected to Casino and Gambling expenses. To add to this, it was noted that his reservation on the ship was made under a different name.

The event has sparked conversations on social media, with users expressing doubt over his decision-making abilities. One user commented, “He just keeps making poor choices… now he’s adding a rescue bill to his debts!?” Another user added, “Did he truly believe that would succeed?

Gonzalez-Diaz is currently out on bail, as confirmed by CBS. If found guilty, he may be liable for a fine of up to $250,000, a maximum prison term of five years, or both imprisonment and a fine.

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2025-09-11 16:48