MSC Poesia Cruise Canceled After Coast Guard Detention in Miami

Passengers who boarded MSC Poesia for an 11-night Caribbean vacation will be heading home after their cruise was canceled before the ship ever left Miami.

The ship was scheduled to depart PortMiami on Sunday, November 1. Instead, it remained docked while the U.S. Coast Guard conducted an expanded inspection.

On Tuesday, November 3, MSC confirmed that the sailing would be cancelled.

According to NBC News, MSC said a regulatory matter arose before departure and could not be resolved in time for the cruise to go ahead.

Why Was MSC Poesia Detained?

The Coast Guard detained MSC Poesia on Sunday with passengers aboard.

Coast Guard Sector Miami said its teams were checking the ship’s compliance with international maritime standards and U.S. regulations.

Officials emphasized the safety of passengers, crew, the vessel and the surrounding environment.

The specific issue behind the detention has not been publicly disclosed in the statements reviewed for this article.

MSC’s description of a regulatory matter does not explain whether the issue involved equipment, documentation or another requirement.

Cancellation Announced After Two Days of Waiting

Passengers spent Sunday and Monday aboard the ship in Miami while awaiting clearance for departure.

According to Cruise Hive, Captain Michele Tuvo announced the cancellation shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday.

He told guests that efforts to resolve the matter had been unsuccessful and apologized for the disruption.

The planned voyage included stops in Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Belize.

Instead of a shortened itinerary, guests now have to make arrangements to go home.

Cruise Cancellations are Not Common

Cruise disruptions are typically handled with a delayed departure, a shorter sailing or changes to the ports visited.

Canceling an entire voyage is not common. That’s because cruise lines try their best to sail.

Delays are more common than full cancellations.

For these passengers, the disruption went beyond a late start or a missed port.

After boarding and waiting two days, they lost their entire 11 night cruise and had to make arrangements to return home.

Guests Will Receive Cruise Fare Refunds

MSC confirmed to NBC News that affected passengers will receive a full refund of their cruise fare.

The company also said it was providing assistance with their journey home and apologized for the disappointment and disruption.

Cruise Hive additionally reported that the captain announced a future cruise credit and additional compensation.

Details were expected in letters delivered to guests’ cabins. Exact amounts and conditions were not specified.

Passengers Can Stay Onboard Until Thursday

Guests are being allowed to remain aboard until noon on Thursday, November 5, giving them time to make travel arrangements, Cruise Hive reported.

The ship is also providing complimentary Wi-Fi so passengers can organize their onward travel.

Travelers booked on a later MSC Poesia sailing should check updates for their departure.

This is a developing story.