MSC Poesia detained at PortMiami as Coast Guard exam forces 11-night cruise cancellation
Neither the Coast Guard nor MSC Cruises has said what inspectors found on the Panama-flagged ship
The US Coast Guard has detained the cruise ship MSC Poesia at PortMiami, and MSC Cruises has cancelled an 11-night Caribbean voyage after the ship failed to sail for two days.
The Panama-flagged ship was detained on Sunday 1 November during what the Coast Guard called an expanded examination. She had been due to leave Miami that afternoon and stayed alongside with passengers on board while inspectors reviewed her compliance. In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said Sector Miami personnel were verifying compliance with international standards and US regulations.
"The Coast Guard is tasked with verifying safe and secure commerce," the agency said.
MSC Cruises confirmed the cancellation the same day. "Prior to departure, a regulatory matter arose that required resolution," the company said, adding that it could not resolve the matter in time for the sailing to go ahead. Passengers will receive full refunds and help with travel home, and may stay on board until noon on Thursday 5 November while they make other arrangements.
What did inspectors find?
Neither side has said. The Coast Guard has not disclosed what prompted the expanded examination, has not named any deficiency and has not said when the ship might be cleared to leave. As of Tuesday she remained in Miami with no published timetable for release.
Foreign-flagged ships calling at US ports are examined under the Coast Guard's port state control programme, and serious deficiencies can keep a ship in port until corrective action is complete.
The cancelled itinerary was to call in Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Belize before returning to Miami on 12 November. The ship's next scheduled departure is a 10-night Caribbean cruise from Miami on 12 November, and MSC Cruises has announced no change to it.
Built in 2008, the 92,627 gt Musica-class ship is 294 metres long and carries up to 3,223 passengers and about 1,039 crew. She had a major refurbishment earlier this year, which added Yacht Club accommodation and upgraded dining and wellness areas. Nothing has linked that work to the detention.
This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 5 November 2026.
