A cruise ship passenger was charged Tuesday with killing a woman after the vessel departed from Texas this weekend, telling FBI agents that he beat and choked her in their cabin after an argument caused him to "snap," court documents showed.

The woman, who was not immediately identified, was found dead Sunday after 48-year-old Jason Watford opened their room's door for a ship housekeeper with blood on his hands and clothes, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.

The housekeeper spotted the victim lying on the floor with facial injuries, and an investigator on the cruise ship contacted authorities.