The U.S. Coast Guard detained the MSC Poesia cruise ship at the Port of Miami on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, for an inspection, officials said. The vessel’s itinerary was placed on hold while passengers remained on board during the verification process.
The Coast Guard's Miami sector stated on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, that its teams are checking the ship for compliance with international standards and U.S. federal regulations. MSC Cruises confirmed the delay in a statement, noting that the ship's departure is pending the completion of the U.S. Coast Guard's board inspection.
The Coast Guard described the action as part of its responsibility to verify safe and secure commerce. "It is the Captain of the Port's priority to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, the vessel, and the environment," the agency said. MSC Cruises stated it is fully cooperating with the authorities but could not provide further information while the process is ongoing.
In a separate event, the Coast Guard detained two Cuban nationals during a vessel safety inspection off the Florida Keys on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. The crew from Islamorada determined the individuals had been denied asylum and were not legally authorized to remain in the United States. They were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol for processing.
The Coast Guard's actions serve to enforce international maritime standards and U.S. regulations, which are intended to address the safety of the vessel and the environment. The specific findings of the compliance check will determine when the ship is cleared to resume its scheduled route.
What happens next depends on the findings of the Coast Guard's inspection team. If the vessel is found to be in compliance with all safety and security regulations, it will be permitted to depart; however, no specific timeline for the resumption of the itinerary has been reported. Regarding the detained Cuban nationals, they were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol following the October 13 inspection. Official names and residential information for those individuals were not released.