MSC Cruises’ ship MSC Poesia was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at PortMiami, Florida, on November 1, 2026, during an expanded Port State Control Examination that found deficiencies in the vessel’s systems. The detention halted the ship’s scheduled departure and prevented it from sailing until the issues are resolved and clearance is granted.
Cancelled Caribbean itinerary and ship capacity
The detention led to the cancellation of MSC Poesia’s 11-night Caribbean cruise planned to depart Miami on November 1, 2026. The itinerary included port visits to Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize. MSC Poesia has a passenger capacity exceeding 2,550, with other sources noting
the ship can carry over 3,200 passengers and more than 1,000 crew members. MSC Poesia is scheduled for a separate 10-night round-trip Eastern Caribbean cruise from PortMiami on November 12, 2026.
Official statements on the detention and passenger assistance
Captain Frank Florio, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, said the Coast Guard identified “deficiencies with systems on board the vessel” during the inspection and that the ship will stay detained until cleared. MSC Cruises said it decided to cancel the sailing after being unable to resolve the regulatory matter in time. The cruise line issued a statement apologizing to its guests for the disruption and confirmed it
is assisting passengers with return travel and issuing full refunds for cruise fares.
Impact on passengers and Coast Guard safety priorities
The cancellation affected hundreds of passengers onboard MSC Poesia and those booked for the November 1 cruise, leaving many stranded at PortMiami. MSC Cruises is providing support for affected guests, including arrangements for their return home. The U.S. Coast Guard emphasized that ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, the vessel, and the environment remains the highest priority. Its teams conducted the expanded inspection to verify compliance with international maritime standards and U.S. regulations.
Undisclosed specifics and ongoing detention
Neither MSC Cruises nor the U.S. Coast Guard has disclosed specific details regarding the
nature of the deficiencies or the regulatory matters involved. The timeline for correcting the issues and the ship’s release remains uncertain. The detention interrupted MSC Cruises’ Caribbean operations out of Miami but does not affect the scheduled cruise set for November 12, 2026.
