MSC Cancels Poesia's Feb. 2026 Southampton-Valletta Cruise

MSC Cruises has cancelled a 10-night MSC Poesia sailing scheduled to depart Southampton, UK, on Feb. 13, 2026, citing “operational reasons” as the ship heads into a major refurbishment period in Malta ahead of its debut Alaska season.

Cancelled February 2026 sailing and what MSC told passengers

The voyage was planned as a repositioning cruise at the end of MSC Poesia’s Northern Europe winter program. In a message to booked guests, MSC said: “Regrettably, due to operational reasons affecting the deployment of the MSC Poesia, we have had to cancel the scheduled cruise.”

MSC also apologized in the same communication, writing: “We fully understand the time and care you have invested in planning your holiday, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment this may cause.”

Refunds, reimbursements, and future cruise credit

MSC said affected guests will receive a full refund, along with additional compensation and the ability to submit claims for certain documented travel costs. The cruise line told passengers: “As a gesture of goodwill, we are pleased to offer a Future Cruise Credit equal to 50 percent of the cruise fare paid for the cancelled sailing.”

• Refund: MSC said it will provide a full refund of the cruise fare paid, returned to the original form of payment.
• Expense claims: The line said it will reimburse “proven out-of-pocket expenses strictly related to the cancelled cruise,” including flights, when guests can provide documentation to support the claim.
• Additional compensation: MSC said it will provide a Future Cruise Credit equal to 50 percent of the cruise fare paid for the cancelled sailing.

What the itinerary was, and where MSC Poesia was operating

The cancelled itinerary was set to sail from Southampton on Feb. 13, 2026, and arrive in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 23. It included calls in Lisbon; Cadiz; Barcelona; Marseille; and Rome (via Civitavecchia) before arriving in Malta.

MSC Poesia is a Musica-class ship built in 2008, with capacity for 2,550 guests at double occupancy. At the time the cancellation notice went out, the vessel was operating a series of seven-night Northern Europe cruises calling in ports across England, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium.

MSC Poesia’s Malta dry dock and what is being added

MSC Poesia is scheduled to enter dry dock at the Palumbo shipyard in Malta in late February 2026 and is expected to remain there into early April. MSC has described the work as one of the most extensive upgrade projects in its history, and the refit is timed ahead of the ship’s planned deployment from Seattle for the 2026 Alaska season.

Planned additions and updates for MSC Poesia include:

• MSC Yacht Club: A ship-within-a-ship concept with exclusive suites, along with a private restaurant, lounge, and sundeck.
• New specialty dining: The ship is set to add Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kaito Sushi Bar.
• New and refreshed venues: MSC has said the refit includes a new sports bar, plus an updated spa, enhanced gym, and other onboard updates.

Following the refit, MSC Poesia’s next voyage is scheduled to depart on April 6, 2026, according to the current schedule referenced in available reports.

Seattle homeport plans and the Alaska itinerary

After the refurbishment, MSC Poesia is scheduled to homeport in Seattle for summer 2026, sailing seven-night Alaska itineraries. Ports listed for the Alaska program include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Hoonah, Tracy Arm, and Juneau, as well as a call in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Entertainment planned for the Alaska season

MSC has also outlined expanded entertainment for MSC Poesia’s Alaska sailings, including Dirty Dancing: In Concert, a 90-minute live-to-film performance featuring a live band and synchronized dancers performing alongside the film.

Additional onboard programming described for the Alaska itineraries includes live music (including jazz, salsa, and dueling pianos), themed parties, and workshops focused on Alaskan geography, arts, crafts, and wellness.

MSC Magnifica upgrades and longer-term deployment plans

MSC has also recently completed a major refurbishment of MSC Magnifica at the Palumbo Shipyard in Malta. MSC Magnifica, a 2010-built ship, received the MSC Yacht Club, which MSC has described as featuring 63 suites along with a private sundeck and an exclusive restaurant and lounge. The ship also added Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, plus a redesigned Aurea Spa and an expanded Technogym fitness center.

After the upgrade work, MSC Magnifica has been sailing Mediterranean itineraries before a 132-day world cruise from Genoa, Italy, in January 2026. MSC has also linked the Poesia and Magnifica projects as part of a broader upgrade cycle for Musica-class ships, and has said the MSC Yacht Club will be introduced on MSC Magnifica for the summer 2026 season, when the ship operates Northern Europe itineraries from Warnemünde, Germany.

Looking further ahead, MSC Magnifica is also scheduled for world cruises of 121 days in 2027 and 115 days in 2028, and MSC said sales for those future voyages have opened.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which MSC Poesia cruise was cancelled?

MSC Cruises cancelled the 10-night MSC Poesia sailing scheduled to depart Southampton on Feb. 13, 2026, and arrive in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 23, 2026. The itinerary had planned calls in Lisbon; Cadiz; Barcelona; Marseille; and Rome (via Civitavecchia).

What compensation is MSC Cruises offering for the cancelled sailing?

MSC told booked guests it will provide a full refund of the cruise fare paid and a Future Cruise Credit equal to 50 percent of the cruise fare paid for the cancelled sailing.

Will MSC reimburse flights and other travel costs?

MSC said it will reimburse documented out-of-pocket expenses that are strictly related to the cancelled cruise, including flights, as long as passengers can provide documentation to support the claim.

What upgrades will MSC Poesia receive during dry dock?

MSC Poesia is scheduled for a major refurbishment in Malta that includes adding the MSC Yacht Club, introducing two specialty restaurants (Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar), and updating onboard venues including the spa, gym, and a new sports bar.

When will MSC Poesia sail to Alaska?

MSC Poesia is scheduled to debut in Alaska in summer 2026, offering seven-night cruises from Seattle starting in May 2026, with calls that include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Hoonah, Tracy Arm, Juneau, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Are world cruises planned on MSC Magnifica after its refurbishment?

Yes. MSC Magnifica is scheduled to operate a 132-day world cruise from Genoa in January 2026, and MSC has also scheduled world cruises of 121 days in 2027 and 115 days in 2028.