A Royal Caribbean guest is facing serious legal consequences after deliberately leaping overboard from Rhapsody of the Seas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an attempt to escape paying a casino debt of more than $16,000.
The incident occurred on 7th September 2025 as the Vision-class ship was completing a 7-night Southern Caribbean sailing.
At around 9:15 am, while passengers were disembarking at Pier 4, Jey González-DÃaz jumped into the water.
Surveillance footage later showed him being picked up by a jet ski and dropped back at shore, but authorities were quickly alerted.
Cash, Multiple IDs and a Fake Identity
Customs and Border Protection officers notified Homeland Security Investigations, though González-DÃaz was apprehended before agents arrived.
He was located near Puerto Rico’s Capitol Building with $14,600 in cash, two mobile phones, a handbag, and five separate forms of identification.
Court documents state that he admitted to jumping into the water to avoid declaring the cash, mistakenly believing it would be taxed if reported.
He has since been charged with failing to declare more than $10,000 upon entering the United States, a federal offence.
Investigators also discovered that González-DÃaz boarded the cruise under the false identity of his brother, who is currently incarcerated.
Travelling under an assumed name could result in further charges.
Banned for Life
Royal Caribbean has not issued a public statement, but the guest is almost certainly banned from the line and its sister brands.
The company enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against both fraudulent activity and reckless behaviour such as intentionally jumping from a ship.
González-DÃaz has been released on bail while awaiting further court proceedings.
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