The MSC Poesia cruise ship was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami in early November 2026, resulting in the cancellation of an 11-night cruise scheduled to depart shortly thereafter.
At the time of detention, the ship carried more than 2,000 passengers. The vessel has a capacity exceeding 3,200 passengers and more than 1,000 crew members. The canceled cruise was planned as an 11-night voyage originating from Miami, Florida.
Inspection and Cause of Detention
The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an expanded inspection of the MSC Poesia, focusing on verifying compliance with international maritime standards and U.S. regulations. During this process, the Coast Guard identified
deficiencies with onboard systems that led to the vessel’s detention. MSC Cruises described the cause as a “regulatory matter” that could not be resolved in time for the ship’s departure.
Official Statements and Passenger Impact
Capt. Frank Florio, commander of the Coast Guard’s Miami sector, confirmed the identification of system deficiencies and stated that the issues are being addressed in cooperation with MSC Cruises. MSC Cruises issued a statement saying, “We have made the difficult decision to cancel the current sailing” and apologized for the disruption, recognizing the disappointment it caused to guests. The cruise line is providing full refunds to the passengers and assisting
them with their return home. More than 2,000 passengers were affected by the cancellation.
Detention Status and Safety Priorities
The MSC Poesia remains detained at PortMiami until the identified deficiencies are corrected and the vessel is cleared to sail. The Coast Guard emphasized that the Captain of the Port prioritizes the safety of passengers, crew, the vessel, and the environment while verifying compliance during such inspections.
