‘Did he actually think that was gonna work?’: Man jumps off cruise ship to escape $16,000 gambling debt, gets arrested anyway

A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger attempted to escape more than $16,000 in gambling debt by jumping off the ship into the waters near Puerto Rico. The desperate plan failed immediately when jet ski riders rescued him and brought him back to shore, where authorities arrested him for federal crimes.

According to CBS News, Jey Gonzalez-Diaz was aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship that departed from the Port of San Juan on August 31, 2025, for a trip to Barbados. The ship returned to San Juan on September 7, when Gonzalez-Diaz made his escape attempt around 9:15 a.m. during U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection. Surveillance video captured the moment he jumped into the water and was quickly picked up by passersby on jet skis.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many users questioning his decision-making. One person commented, “Did he actually think that was gonna work?” while another added, “He just continues to make bad decisions…now he has a rescue bill to add to his debt!”

Details are coming up about massive gambling debt

When authorities arrested Gonzalez-Diaz near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building, they found $14,600 in cash, two cell phones, and five different identification documents on him. Royal Caribbean informed investigators that he owed the cruise line $16,710.24, with the debt being “almost exclusively associated to Casino and Gaming expenses.” The passenger had boarded the ship under the fake name Jeremy Diaz, which actually belonged to his brother.

The use of multiple false identities added another layer to the case. Record checks revealed that Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz, the brother whose identity was used, has been in federal custody in Puerto Rico since January for drug trafficking and weapons possession. When investigators asked Gonzalez-Diaz for his full name, he responded defiantly, “If you guys were good at your job, you would know that.”

Gonzalez-Diaz initially told officers he jumped off the ship because he “did not want to report the currency on his possession because he thought he was going to be taxed duties for bring in the currency.” However, federal law requires travelers to report amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars when entering the country. Failure to report can result in seizure of the currency and arrest.

Federal charges and potential consequences

The U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico has charged Gonzalez-Diaz with failing to report the transport of monetary instruments over $10,000 from outside the United States. This federal crime carries serious penalties, including up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. He has been released on bail while awaiting trial.

This case highlights ongoing safety concerns about cruise ship passengers going overboard, though most incidents are accidental rather than intentional escape attempts. The cruise industry has implemented various safety measures, including advanced detection systems and trained rescue crews, which likely contributed to the quick response in this case.

The incident also underscores the serious financial risks of cruise ship gambling. While casinos are popular attractions on many cruise ships, passengers can accumulate significant debts during their voyages. Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines typically have policies in place for handling gambling debts, though jumping overboard is certainly not a recommended solution.

The case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of gambling addiction and poor decision making. Gonzalez-Diaz’s attempt to escape his debts has only resulted in federal criminal charges and additional legal troubles. His story has become a stark reminder that there are no easy escapes from financial obligations, especially when cruise ship safety protocols are designed to protect passengers from exactly these types of dangerous situations.