U.S. Coast Guard Detains MSC Cruise Ship in Miami

The U.S. Coast Guard has detained the cruise ship MSC Poesia at PortMiami, forcing MSC Cruises to cancel an 11-night Caribbean voyage after the vessel remained in port for two days.

The Panama-flagged cruise ship was detained Sunday, November 1, during what the Coast Guard described as an expanded examination of the vessel. The ship had been scheduled to depart Miami that afternoon but remained docked with passengers aboard as inspectors reviewed its compliance with maritime regulations.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Coast Guard said Sector Miami personnel were verifying the vessel’s compliance with international standards and U.S. regulations.

“The Coast Guard is tasked with verifying safe and secure commerce,” the agency said, adding that the Captain of the Port’s priority is protecting passengers, crew, the vessel and the environment.

The Coast Guard has not disclosed what prompted the expanded examination or identified any specific deficiencies. It also has not indicated when the ship might be cleared to depart.

MSC Cruises confirmed Tuesday that it was canceling the voyage after efforts to resolve the issue proved unsuccessful.

“Prior to departure, a regulatory matter arose that required resolution,” MSC Cruises said in a statement reported by NBC News. The company said it was unable to resolve the matter in time for the sailing to proceed.

The cruise line said affected passengers would receive full refunds and assistance arranging their journeys home. Guests have also been permitted to remain aboard until noon Thursday, November 5, while making alternative travel arrangements.

The canceled itinerary was scheduled to visit Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Belize before returning to Miami on November 12.

The detention raises questions about the nature of the regulatory issue that prevented the ship from sailing.

Under the Coast Guard’s port state control program, foreign-flagged vessels calling at U.S. ports are subject to examinations to verify compliance with applicable international conventions and U.S. requirements. Serious deficiencies can result in a vessel being detained until the necessary corrective actions are completed.

However, neither the Coast Guard nor MSC Cruises has publicly explained what inspectors discovered aboard MSC Poesia, leaving the reason for the detention unclear.

Built in 2008, the 92,627-gross-ton MSC Poesia is part of MSC Cruises’ Musica class. The 294-meter vessel has capacity for 3,223 passengers and approximately 1,039 crew members.

The ship underwent a major refurbishment earlier this year, including the addition of MSC’s Yacht Club luxury accommodations and upgrades to its dining and wellness facilities. There has been no indication that the refurbishment is connected to the detention.

The ship’s next scheduled voyage is a 10-night Caribbean cruise departing Miami on November 12. MSC Cruises has not announced any changes to that sailing.

As of Tuesday, the vessel remained in Miami, with no publicly announced timetable for its release.

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 106,225 members