MSC Poesia, operated by MSC Cruises, was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami, Florida, beginning November 1, 2026. The incident halted the vessel’s scheduled departure for an 11-night Caribbean cruise.
The detention followed a pre-departure inspection that identified several deficiencies with onboard systems. MSC Poesia was set to depart on Sunday, November 1, 2026, for a Caribbean sailing, with planned port visits in Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize. The cruise cancellation was officially announced on November 4, 2026.
Captain Frank Florio, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, confirmed the identification of system deficiencies during
an expanded Port State Control Examination. He stated the Coast Guard is addressing these issues with MSC Cruises. MSC Cruises indicated the problem was regulatory in nature and could not be resolved in time for the sailing.
MSC Cruises issued a statement apologizing to passengers and cancelled the cruise due to a regulatory matter that arose before departure. The company committed to providing full refunds and 100% cruise credit. Passengers onboard MSC Poesia during the detention were allowed to remain on the vessel throughout the inspection period.
The disruption affected more than 2,550 passengers, according to The Independent, with some
reports citing over 3,200 passengers and more than 1,000 crew members onboard, reflecting the ship’s full capacity. MSC Poesia is scheduled to resume sailing with a 10-night round-trip Eastern Caribbean itinerary departing from PortMiami on November 12, 2026.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s role in this inspection highlights its responsibility to enforce maritime safety and regulatory compliance. The Port State Control Examination ensures vessels meet required international standards, prioritizing the safety of passengers, crew, and the environment.
MSC Poesia will remain detained at PortMiami until all safety and regulatory concerns are resolved, with no announced date for clearance or resumption of
the cancelled cruise.
