MSC Cruises Says “Regulatory Matter” with USCG Caused Cruise Cancelation

MSC Cruises informed passengers on Tuesday morning that the scheduled cruise on MSC Poesia to the Caribbean from Miami had been canceled due to “regulatory matters” during a U.S. Coast Guard inspection. Passengers had boarded the ship on Sunday expecting an 11-day cruise to the Western Caribbean, but the ship had remained at dock.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel the current sailing,” an MSC Cruises spokesperson told The Maritime Executive. “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."

The cruise line said it “recognizes how disappointing and frustrating this news is for our guests, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption.” It promised a full refund of the cruise fare and was assisting passengers with their journey home.

Built in 2008, MSC Poesia is 92,627 gross tons. The 960-foot (293-meter) cruise ship has a capacity of 3,223 passengers and 1,039 crew. The passengers embarked on Sunday, November 1, for a cruise to Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize, due to return to Miami on November 12.

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