MSC Cruises announced that its planned Caribbean voyage with the MSC Poesia has been canceled due to "regulatory issues" during a U.S. Coast Guard inspection. Passengers who boarded the ship on Sunday were expecting an 11-day trip to the Western Caribbean, but the ship remained in port.
Regulatory Issues and Decision to Cancel Voyage
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises stated: "We have made the difficult decision to cancel the current voyage. A regulatory issue arose that needed to be resolved before departure. Despite our efforts to address this matter, we were unable to resolve it in time." The company also expressed regret for the disruption to passengers and promised a full refund of the trip costs, stating that it is assisting passengers in returning home.
Details of the MSC Poesia
The MSC Poesia, built in 2008, has a capacity of 3,223 passengers and 1,039 crew members. This ship, measuring 293 meters in length and with a gross weight of 92,627 tons, had recently returned to Miami to set sail for the Caribbean and South America. Passengers were scheduled to visit destinations such as Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize, and return to Miami on November 12.
The U.S. Coast Guard began inspecting the ship on Sunday while it was docked in Miami. This agency stated that its mission is to ensure the safety and security of commerce. The Coast Guard inspects vessels to verify compliance with SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) standards and U.S. regulations regarding safety and environmental compliance.
Passengers reported on social media that the captain had told them they were waiting for "the necessary approval" and that the cruise company was fully cooperating with the Coast Guard, but this process could not be rushed. On Monday, passengers were transported by bus to Miami, and throughout the night, the ship continued to provide food and entertainment services.
The Coast Guard did not comment on specific issues that caused the delay. The MSC Poesia was last inspected in April 2026, at which time issues with "operational readiness of lifesaving equipment" were identified, but the ship was not detained. The ship was also inspected in Miami in March 2024 and has had four previous inspections in the United States.
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