If you were planning to catch a late-winter sailing on the MSC Poesia, you might want to check your email. In a move that has surprised many in the cruise community, MSC Cruises has announced that the Poesia will be concluding its Northern Europe passenger service earlier than expected.
While the “operational reasons” cited in guest emails sound vague, we’ve dug into the details to find out what’s really going on—and there is actually some very exciting news on the horizon for MSC fans.
The Cancellations
MSC has officially cancelled the February 13, 2026, repositioning cruise from Southampton to Valletta, Malta. The ship will now end its final guest voyage in Southampton on February 13, instead of sailing with passengers down to the Mediterranean as originally planned.
Industry sources indicate the ship will sail empty (a “deadhead” voyage) directly to the Palumbo Shipyard in Malta to begin a massive transformation.
The “Glow-Up”: Why This is Good News
While cancellations are never fun, the reason behind this move is the most ambitious refurbishment in the Musica-class history. MSC is prepping the Poesia for its historic debut in Alaska later this spring.
To compete with the premium ships in the Pacific Northwest, MSC is giving the Poesia some heavy-hitting upgrades:
- The MSC Yacht Club is coming! For the first time, this ship-within-a-ship luxury concept will be added to the Poesia, featuring 63 exclusive suites, a private lounge, and a dedicated pool deck.
- New Dining: Fan favorites like Butcher’s Cut (American steakhouse) and the Kaito Sushi Bar are being added to the lineup.
- Sporty Upgrades: The ship will also get the All-Stars Sports Bar, a concept that debuted on the newer Seaside class of ships.
Impacted Guests: The Silver Lining
If your cruise was one of those cut, MSC is making it right with a compensation package that is actually quite generous:
- 100% Refund: A full refund of your cruise fare and pre-paid packages.
- Out-of-Pocket Coverage: MSC is reimbursing proven expenses for flights and hotels already booked.
- 50% Future Cruise Credit (FCC): This is the kicker—impacted guests are receiving a credit for half the value of their cancelled fare to use on a future sailing.
Our Take: If you were booked on the cancelled leg, that 50% credit could be your golden ticket to booking a dream vacation or even an upgrade to a suite or even the Yacht Club!
Looking Ahead: Alaska 2026
After the dry dock is complete in April, the “new” MSC Poesia will head west to Seattle. Her first Alaska sailing is scheduled for May 11, 2026. Between the brand-new Yacht Club and the bucket-list views of Tracy Arm Fjord, she’s going to be a completely different ship when she returns to service.
