US Coast Guard holds MSC Poesia at PortMiami, cancels 11-night cruise

PortMiami. The United States Coast Guard detained the cruise ship MSC Poesia on Sunday. The vessel is currently undergoing an expanded inspection while officials review its adherence to international standards and U.S. regulations.

The Southeast District of the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the detention. A statement from the agency noted that the Captain of the Port prioritizes the safety of passengers, crew, the ship, and the environment. Coast Guard teams are verifying the vessel's compliance with applicable rules. It was not immediately clear if the inspection began as a standard procedure or which specific regulations were under review.

MSC Cruises canceled the 11-night voyage scheduled to depart Miami on Sunday. The company called the cancellation a difficult decision. Passengers are allowed to remain on board until Thursday to arrange their travel plans.

In a statement to NBC News, MSC acknowledged that the news is disappointing and frustrating for travelers. The company apologized for the interruption to their vacations. A regulatory issue surfaced before the departure that required resolution. Despite efforts to address it, the problem could not be resolved in time for the cruise to proceed. Passengers will receive a full refund of their cruise price, and the company is providing support to help them return home.

The MSC Poesia has a capacity of 3,223 passengers and 1,039 crew members. According to CruiseMapper, the planned itinerary included stops in Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize.