MSC Poesia, a midsize cruise ship operated by MSC Cruises with a capacity of 2,550 passengers, was stopped and held by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami, Florida, in early November 2026. The vessel typically sails from Miami in winter to Caribbean destinations and from Seattle in summer to Alaska, completing approximately 50 to 60 voyages annually since its maiden voyage in April 2008.
U.S. Coast Guard Detains MSC Poesia for System Deficiencies
The U.S. Coast Guard detained MSC Poesia during a Port State Control Examination at PortMiami due to identified deficiencies with systems aboard the ship. Capt. Frank Florio of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami confirmed that the
Coast Guard had detected these issues and was working with MSC Cruises to address them but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing examination.
Cancellation of November Caribbean and Central America Cruise
As a result of mechanical problems discovered during the inspection, MSC Cruises canceled an 11-day Western Caribbean and Central America cruise that was scheduled to depart on November 3, 2026. Efforts to correct the deficiencies could not be completed in time to allow the sailing to proceed. The cancellation stranded hundreds of passengers who had planned to board this journey.
Passenger Disembarkation and Onboard Accommodation
Following the Coast Guard’s detention of the ship, passengers were required to disembark and
later re-enter the MSC Poesia as part of the ongoing evaluation process. While the ship remained docked at PortMiami, MSC allowed travelers to stay onboard until the morning of November 5 to facilitate alternative arrangements. Passengers who had independently booked flights had to adjust their travel plans unsupervised by MSC.
MSC Cruises’ Response and Compensation Offer
MSC Cruises issued an apology for the disruption and provided a full refund of the canceled cruise fare to affected passengers. The cruise line also offered a 100% credit towards a future MSC cruise and committed to reimbursing any airline change fees incurred. In a statement, MSC expressed regret over
the incident and acknowledged the disappointment experienced by guests.
Next Scheduled Sailing Still Uncertain
The MSC Poesia’s upcoming 21-day Eastern Caribbean cruise set to depart on November 12, 2026, remains under review. As of November 6, no official announcement had been made regarding the status of this sailing, and it was noted that the cruise was temporarily unavailable for booking on MSC’s website.
