The MSC Poesia cruise ship was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami beginning Sunday, November 1, 2026, resulting in the cancellation of its scheduled 11-night sailing. More than 2,000 passengers were on board at the time of detainment.
U.S. Coast Guard Inspection and Safety Findings
The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an expanded examination to verify compliance with international maritime standards and U.S. regulations. Captain Frank Florio, commander of the Miami sector, stated the Coast Guard “identified deficiencies with systems on board the vessel that we are addressing with MSC.” The ship will remain detained until “the deficiencies are corrected and it is cleared for departure,”
according to official Coast Guard statements that emphasized prioritizing safety for passengers, crew, the vessel, and the environment.
Scheduled Cruise Details
MSC Poesia was scheduled to depart on an 11-night voyage from Miami with a passenger capacity exceeding 3,200 and over 1,000 crew members. The itinerary included stops in Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica, and other destinations in the Caribbean region.
MSC Cruises Reaction and Guest Assistance
Due to the regulatory issues identified before the ship’s scheduled departure, MSC Cruises announced it made the decision to cancel the sailing after attempts to resolve the matter were unsuccessful. A cruise line spokesperson said the issue “arose before departure. The cruise line
said it was unable to resolve the issue in time to set sail.” The company confirmed that guests will receive full refunds of their cruise fares and that it is assisting passengers with arrangements to return home.
MSC Cruises expressed regret over the cancellation, stating, “We recognize how disappointing and frustrating this news is for our guests, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption to their holiday.”
Captain Florio reaffirmed the Coast Guard’s position, noting the ship’s detention was due to “identified deficiencies with systems on board the vessel that we are addressing with MSC,” and that departure clearance depends
on corrections being made.
Over 2,000 guests experienced disruption due to the cancellation of the voyage at the PortMiami terminal in Miami, Florida.
