The U.S. Coast Guard detained the MSC Poesia at PortMiami after inspectors found “deficiencies with systems” aboard the cruise ship on November 1, according to a statement by the Coast Guard. MSC Cruises was not able to resolve the issue and on November 3 canceled the 11-night cruise.
Passengers had already boarded the MSC Poesia when the detention by the Coast Guard occurred. MSC Cruises told passengers a decision on whether the voyage would be canceled would be made by 10:00 a.m. on November 3.
The Panama-flagged ship had been scheduled to leave Miami on Sunday, November 1, and return November 12, with calls in Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Belize.
Passengers onboard now have until noon on November 5 to make travel plans home. MSC Cruises offered a full refund of the cruise, a 100% future cruise credit, and reimbursement for certain travel expenses.
A letter outlining these details is below. The letter makes no mention of reimbursing passengers for their travel costs to Miami or for taking time off from their jobs.
The exact cause of the detention is currently unclear.
“The Coast Guard cannot currently comment on the specifics of an ongoing Port State Control Examination, but we have identified deficiencies with systems on board the vessel that we are addressing with MSC,” Capt. Frank Florio, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, said in a statement.
MSC Cruises described the issue as a “regulatory matter” that arose before departure in a statement.
“We recognize how disappointing and frustrating this news is for our guests, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption to their holiday,” the cruise line said. “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. Guests will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, and we are providing support to assist with their journey home.”
The Coast Guard inspects foreign-flagged commercial vessels calling at U.S. ports to ensure they comply with applicable safety, security, and environmental requirements. If ships are found to be not in compliance, the Coast Guard can prevent a vessel from departing until corrective action is completed.
In 2011, MSC Opera was detained in Southampton after U.K. maritime authorities identified multiple safety deficiencies, including concerns involving the vessel’s stability and emergency preparedness following an earlier power failure.
As of November 4, a Coast Guard clearance for MSC Poesia has not been publicly announced. Whether future sailings will be impacted is currently unclear.
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