The MSC Poesia cruise ship was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami on or around November 1, 2026. The vessel was held following an expanded pre-departure inspection that identified deficiencies with systems on board, according to Captain Frank Florio, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami.
Cancellation of 11-Night Caribbean Voyage
The detention forced cancellation of the ship’s scheduled 11-night Caribbean cruise set to depart PortMiami on Sunday, November 1. More than 2,000 passengers were on board at the time. The itinerary included stops at Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize.
Official Statements on Deficiencies and Passenger Impact
Captain Florio said, “We have identified deficiencies with systems on
board the vessel that we are addressing with MSC.” MSC Cruises said it made the difficult decision to cancel the sailing and apologized for the disruption. A spokesperson added, “Prior to departure, a regulatory matter arose that required resolution. Despite our efforts to address the matter, we were unable to resolve it in time for the sailing to proceed.” The Coast Guard confirmed the ship will remain detained until cleared for departure.
Cause of Detention and Passenger Assistance
The detention resulted from unresolved regulatory issues uncovered during an ongoing Port State Control Examination by the U.S. Coast Guard.
MSC Cruises is providing full refunds and 100%
cruise credits to affected passengers, who include over 2,000 guests aboard at the time, and is assisting with travel arrangements to return home.
The MSC Poesia has a passenger capacity of over 2,550 according to The Independent and over 3,200 according to MSC Cruises. The ship is planned to resume service with a 10-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary departing Miami on November 12, 2026.
The Coast Guard inspection is part of its role in verifying compliance with international standards and U.S. regulations to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, vessel, and the environment.
