When I went on a cruise recently I was faced with the same problem. My assessment is such. On a larger cruise ship, you are in a floating hotel. Fire is the number one hazard on the ship. No smoking, cooking etc in the rooms Security wise, I'm pretty sure you can carry about your edged tools without being molested by the security staff. All the X-rays of the baggage are to make sure you leave the BBQ grill at home on the porch and to make sure that no guns, ammo, assault rifles, bombs or drugs are brought on board for a drunken deck party.(Of course you can have this too without the contraband, just don't fall over the railing in drunken stupor <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />)

This is what I brought:
1. EvacU8 smoke hood
2. Infinity Ultra/Glow in the dark ACME storm whistle on neck lanyard
3. Waist pouch with FAK, Water in 500ml Nalgene, Space blanket, Cell phone in waterproof pouch + spare battery, Poncho, extra AA batteries, some paracord, passport & ID in waterproof pouch
4. Swisstool + SAK Survival kit on belt
5. PSK, PrincetonTec Blast, wallet/ credit cards,Climber SAK, etc in pockets,
I was in this get up except swimmg (duh!) but the pouch with everything else was always carried with me. We didn't go to the fancy restaurants on the ship (my kids not allowed).

All ready in case rapid evac needed and no time to go to the rooms. All we got on the PFDs were a little light and a whistle.Bleah!

Hope this helps. The security screening in your neck of the woods may be different from here in Singapore though...

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