MSC Poesia sailing cancelled after Miami detention

MSC Cruises has cancelled an 11-night voyage of the MSC Poesia after the U.S. Coast Guard detained the cruise ship at PortMiami for an expanded inspection, the company confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.

The Coast Guard’s Miami sector detained the ship on Sunday, Nov. 1, while passengers were aboard, according to Local 10 News and Travelweek. The Coast Guard has not said what prompted the inspection. It said its role is to verify safe and secure commerce, with passenger, crew, vessel and environmental safety as priorities.

MSC said the sailing was cancelled because of a “regulatory matter” that arose before departure. Guests will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, the cruise line told CBS News. Passengers may stay aboard until noon on Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the reports.

Outlets differ slightly on timing, with some saying the Coast Guard confirmed the detention on Monday and others dating the detention to Sunday. Neither the Coast Guard nor MSC has publicly detailed what inspectors found, and no cause has been confirmed. Reports that the boarding was part of a broader unannounced cruise safety inspection programme have appeared in only one outlet and have not been confirmed.

The MSC Poesia is a Panama-flagged ship that sails for the Geneva-based MSC Cruises. Foreign-flagged cruise ships calling at U.S. ports are subject to Coast Guard inspections, which can include checks of safety equipment, crew drills and environmental compliance.

Searches for the ship rose in Canada on Tuesday, according to Google Trends. Neither MSC nor the Coast Guard has said how many passengers were on board or where they are from, and it is not known whether any Canadians were affected.

Travellers booked on MSC sailings should check directly with the cruise line or their travel agent for updates. Canada News Media has contacted no one for this report beyond reviewing published coverage and will update this story as MSC or the Coast Guard release more details. For another recent cruise disruption, see our report on Oasis of the Seas diverted to Halifax by storm.

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