U.S. Coast Guard Detains MSC Poesia in Miami, Forcing Cruise Cancellation

The cruise ship MSC Poesia, operated by MSC Cruises, remained detained at the Port of Miami starting Sunday, November 1, 2026, while the U.S. Coast Guard carried out an inspection on board. The company confirmed on Tuesday the cancellation of the 11-night Caribbean voyage that was scheduled to depart that same day, after failing to resolve in time what it described as a "regulatory matter."

The Coast Guard, through Sector Miami, stated that its task is to verify compliance with international SOLAS standards and U.S. regulations, as part of its mission to ensure safe trade. According to GCaptain, this was an expanded examination, and the authority did not disclose what prompted the action nor identify specific deficiencies, while also not indicating when the vessel might be cleared to sail.

Passengers had boarded on Sunday for an itinerary that included Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize, with a return to Miami scheduled for November 12. MSC Cruises announced it will offer a full fare refund and assistance for the journey home, and according to GCaptain, passengers will be allowed to remain on board until noon on Thursday, November 5, while they arrange alternative travel plans. Cruise Critic added that the company kept guests updated on departure developments.

MSC Poesia was built in 2008, has a gross tonnage of 92,627, measures 294 meters in length overall, and has capacity for 3,223 passengers and approximately 1,039 crew members, according to Maritime Executive and GCaptain, which also specified that the vessel operates under Panamanian flag. The ship had previously been inspected by the Coast Guard in April 2026, during which deficiencies were found in the operational readiness of lifesaving equipment, though no detention was ordered at that time, according to Maritime Executive.

The vessel had undergone a refurbishment in early 2026, which included the addition of the MSC Yacht Club and upgrades to its dining and wellness areas, though no connection has been indicated between that refit and the detention, according to GCaptain. The next scheduled departure for MSC Poesia is a 10-night Caribbean cruise set for November 12, for which the cruise line had not announced any changes as of this report.