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MSC Cruises Says “Regulatory Matter” with USCG Caused Cruise Cancelation

MSC Poesia
MSC Poesia was detained at PortMiami forcing it to cancel a scheduled 11-day Caribbean cruise (MSC Cruises)

By The Maritime Executive 2026-11-03 15:29:05

MSC Cruises informed passengers on Tuesday morning that the scheduled cruise on MSC Poesia to the Caribbean from Miami had been canceled due to “regulatory matters” during a U.S. Coast Guard inspection. Passengers had boarded the ship on Sunday expecting an 11-day cruise to the Western Caribbean, but the ship had remained at dock.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel the current sailing,” an MSC Cruises spokesperson told The Maritime Executive. “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 cruise line said it “recognizes how disappointing and frustrating this news is for our guests, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption.” It promised a full refund of the cruise fare and was assisting passengers with their journey home.

Built in 2008, MSC Poesia is 92,627 gross tons. The 960-foot (293-meter) cruise ship has a capacity of 3,223 passengers and 1,039 crew. The passengers embarked on Sunday, November 1, for a cruise to Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize, due to return to Miami on November 12. 

The U.S. Coast Guard launched an inspection of the vessel on Sunday while it was docked at PortMiami. In its statement, it said it was “tasked with verifying safety and secure commerce.” The USCG inspects vessels for compliance with SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) and U.S. regulations on elements such as safety and environmental compliance.

Passengers reported in social media postings that the captain had initially told them they were waiting for the “necessary clearance.” They were told the cruise line was fully cooperating with the Coast Guard but that the process could not be rushed. On Monday, passengers were provided buses into Miami, and Monday evening the ship continued to provide dining and entertainment.

The Coast Guard has not commented on the specific issues that were causing the delay. The cruise ship, however, had last been inspected by the USCG in April 2026, with issues identified with “operational readiness of lifesaving appliances,” but the ship was not detained. It had previously been inspected in Miami in March 2024. It also had four previous inspections in the United States since it entered service.

The cruise ship underwent an extensive renovation in the spring of 2026, preparing it for its premier season cruising to Alaska. 

MSC Poesia recently returned to Miami for a winter season sailing to the Caribbean and South America. The company highlighted that the ship was part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in South Florida and the Caribbean. Three additional MSC cruise ships are also operating from PortMiami this winter.