A federal jury found Malaysian national, Lay Ong, 67, guilty for sexually abusing a minor during a Royal Caribbean cruise. The incident took place earlier this year on the Icon of the Seas during the ship’s March 29 through April 5 voyage from Miami.
Ong was convicted on October 23 and the press release of the incident was released Friday, November 14 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The press release details the crime: “Ong was walking down a stateroom corridor when he encountered two boys, ages seven and nine, playing outside their cabin. Evidence showed that Ong began speaking with the children while touching the seven-year-old’s head and chin, then reached down and squeezed the child’s genitalia before walking away.”
The affidavit also states Ong asked the boys if they were boys or girls and then said “let me check” before sexually assaulting the child.
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The boys told their parents about the incident and who then alerted the ship’s security. The ship’s surveillance system captured the incident. The ship’s security interviewed Ong, who claimed he was “playing” with the boys and only touched the child’s stomach.
Ong will be sentenced on January 21, 2026 in Miami federal court. He faces a maximum of life in prison and will be subject to deportation following his sentence.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said the following in the press release: “Abusing a child is an unforgivable act. This verdict makes clear that anyone who preys on a child—anywhere, and under any flag—will be held to account. We will continue working with the FBI to protect young victims and bring their abusers to justice.”
Stories like this are why we warn passengers to stay vigilant at all times — even just outside their cabins. Crimes on cruises can happen in seconds, and there is always the danger of opportunistic predators like Ong.
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Image Credit: Icon of the Seas – Wikipedia
