i can't tell you about the gear but in regards to the cruise; my buddy went on a cruise last year and he said that it would have been a piece of cake to get it in. just make sure that you put it in your carry on or tape that shit to yourself. when you come back in the country, they take your non carry on bags the night before you leave, line them up in a room and have dogs sniff them. they don't go through them, i still wouldn't put shit in there though. but now security might be a little more tight due to the terrorists. but good luck, you might sweat bullets on the way back but the pay off is wonderful!!!