The MSC Poesia was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami on November 1, 2026, after the Coast Guard identified deficiencies with systems onboard the Panama-flagged vessel. The detention was related to a regulatory issue requiring resolution before departure.
Cancelled 11-Night Caribbean Cruise Itinerary
MSC Poesia was scheduled to embark on an 11-night Caribbean cruise from Miami on November 1, 2026, returning on November 12. Its planned route included stops in Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize. The ship can carry over 2,550 passengers.
Cancellation and Passenger Impact
Passengers had boarded the vessel when the detention occurred. MSC Cruises announced by 10:00 a.m. on November 3
that the cruise would be cancelled, as it was unable to resolve the regulatory matter in time. Passengers onboard were given until noon on November 5 to arrange transport home. The cruise line is providing full refunds, 100% future cruise credits, and reimbursement for certain travel expenses.
Official Statements and Inspection Context
Captain Frank Florio, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, said the Coast Guard identified deficiencies with systems during a Port State Control Examination and is addressing them with MSC Cruises. The Coast Guard is tasked with ensuring compliance with safety, security, and environmental regulations and can detain vessels that do not meet
standards. An MSC Cruises spokesperson apologized for the disruption and confirmed the regulatory issue arose prior to departure and could not be resolved in time for sailing.
The Coast Guard conducts inspections of foreign-flagged commercial vessels calling at U.S. ports to verify regulatory compliance. Detentions prevent vessels from sailing until concerns are remedied. A similar MSC ship, MSC Opera, was detained in Southampton, UK, in 2011 for safety deficiencies.
As of November 4, 2026, no public clearance from the Coast Guard permitting MSC Poesia to sail has been issued. The ship’s next cruise is scheduled for an Eastern Caribbean itinerary,
departing November 12, 2026, from PortMiami.
