Alaskan Cruise and .44 revolver...

You'll need to check with the cruise line you'll be using. You'll be hard pressed to find a cruise line that will let you take a gun with you, locked up or not. You'll likely be subject to x-rays machines and metal detectors each time you come back from shore.

I suggest contacting the cruise line first. If its not a mom and pop one they most likely have dealt with the issue a lot. I suspect securing for the whole trip isn't an issue (since hunters so take cruises) as much as store and retrieve might be. There can be a lot of laws in issue (keep in mind the ship may not even be a US or Canadian registered one, separate federal and maritime, and international laws, and law of the sea) especially if the ship goes into Candian waters at any time. I know that's not facts, but that's my feeling (not personalized legal advice you should rely on..disclaimer disclaimer) as an attorney (licensed in NY). Sorry I can't give you a more specific answer.

Found this answer on another site :

All weapons are prohibited on cruises due to cruise ship security regulations. Guns are not allowed, with or without a concealed carry permit. Attempting to bring a gun on a cruise ship may result in severe legal penalties. Knives of any type are prohibited. You also should not attempt to bring mace or other pepper sprays onboard. Cruise terminals are equipped with security scanners that will alert security personnel to the presence of weapons. In addition to weapons, there may be some restrictions on other sharp objects, like scissors or tweezers, because of TSA regulations

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Ports come under Homeland Security like an airport - weapons are prohibited and trying to sneak one on board would be like trying to board a plane with a gun - you'll miss your cruise and wind up with some serious legal bills

^ That's what I was thinking, maybe the same as boarding a plane.

The Alaskan cruise that I took involved leaving the ship in Vancouver. Even IF the gun was allowed on the cruise ship (which clearly it isn't), good luck bringing it into Canada. A double whammy. Enjoy the cruise though. It was one of my favorites. If you are departing from Seward, take a few extra days and get up to Denali. Maybe you can fedex the gun to yourself via a ffl in Fairbanks or Anchorage. Not a good feeling being unarmed in Denali. On the shore visits though rest assured, EVERYONE will be armed except you!

Edit: obviously if you fly into Alaska and make the trip to Denali, you only need to FedEx the gun back.

I took a cruise to Alaska 3 months ago on the Norwegian line. I had similar thoughts of wanting to carry while I was off the ship. Security was very tight and there was no way they would let me have a firearm in my possession while on board. They did let me bring an ULU knife back on board with strict instructions that it was not to be seen and remain in my rooms safe until the cruise was over. I contemplated pursuing the option of having them lock a hand gun away that I could have on shore but in the end I decided I didn't want to mess with it, or risk having it out of my control or possession. Just because someone works for a cruise ship and wears a friendly smile doesn't make them trustworthy.
It probably wouldn't be to much trouble to do, but I just chose not to. I actually checked a handgun in checked luggage on the flight over. I had purchased it for a friend in Seattle and it was free to bring him it instead of shipping since I was headed over there anyway. It didn't seem to be a big deal, tsa just went through the bag with a scanner real quick then sealed it with a tamper indicating thing. I would imagine it would be similar on the cruise ship, just separate from normal baggage.

I had a pocket knife confiscated when boarding a cruise ship. We departed early and my in-laws tried to get the knife back with the ticket I was given, but the wait was so long they feared missing their flight, so it was lost.
Also if you park at a cruise terminal it is illegal to store your firearm in your car. Be very careful.

I carried a revolver on the Alaska Ferry system. I told them and it was no problem. They didn't even check it.
(I realize it is not the same, but it would seem similar legally)

It isn't - cruise ships are more strict, like an airplane
even if you spend a day or two on shore trips, you will most likely be with a group of folks from the ship - you really don't need a gun.

Smuggle a liter or two of clear liquor, buy some sodas and relax and enjoy the cruise - it isn't like downtown Detroit or East LA
I have been on nine cruises - some to some impoverished Carib locales, and never felt the need to be carrying a gun - even in Jamaica

Um, EVERY WHERE YOU GO WILL BE GUIDED
why do you need the gun? If the place is at risk for bear (why I assume you are thinking of packing) the guide will provide that. you *MIGHT* get away with bear spray, you need bear protection when you are off the beaten trail in a small group/self. Every where you go, it's a gaggle of tourists.

BTW, a AK ferry is the 'State of Alaska' it's not the same as a cruise, different rules apply, notably being that troopers are the ones providing security not the molesters, er TSA...

If you want to travel on the Alaska Ferry System, see the firearm rules here:

http://www.dot.alaska.gov/amhs/policies.shtml

My neighbor went on a cruise to Mexico. In his luggage he had a loaded 1911 magazine he forgot about from a prior camping trip. Security found it and questioned him until he "donated it" to the local PD and wrote down how good of a job cruise security did.

So if he couldn't get away with just one magazine and ammo, I doubt you will be able to bring a firearm.

My wife and I cruised to Alaska for our honeymoon. We loved it and would go back in a minute. As for your revolver, you can't take it, but you really don't need it anyway. Your wallet is in far more danger from the minibar in your stateroom than from a mugger ashore. First rule of places that depend on tourism: don't annoy the tourists. Alaska is pretty low-crime, and what there is tends to be between the locals, not directed at outsiders. I felt safer there with no gun than I have in many places in the lower 48 where I've been armed. Go, have a good time, and don't worry about it.

I did a combined Alaska-Yukon cruisetour a few years ago, and given the extensive travel and numerous border crossings, I can't imagine anything dumber than carrying a firearm. You'll have more than enough stuff to lug with you without worrying about a gun.

The biggest threat you'll face is overeager competition from senior citizens in the buffet line aboard ship. And a firearm would definitely qualify as overreacting.

The only difference was that I had red tape (to indicate a weapon in the pickup) holding my ticket to the window. The parking lot was checked for bombs before boarding started.

Sergei, since it's constitutional carry, the guessed rate is something like 70+% of Alaskans are packing (esp. outside of THE city (anchorage)) Yeah, you are more at risk statistically from other passengers than a bear.

When I lived in AK, the ferrys were the marine highway system and no different restrictions than traveling on land, AKA none.

My wife cruised a few years ago. It was her dream to go and I sent her, but she could not take her CCW. None of the cruise lines allowed firearms. I could have sent her on a number of chartered fishing boats, but no cruise ships.

I hope you have better luck, but even the smallest of cruise lines (one that involved a schooner and just 50 (80?) passengers didn't even allow them.

With the trends in airline restrictions it is a miracle that you can still take a pencil or ball point pen on a plane if it has a point.

To be more serious my cousin had to surrender his dive knife while aboard a cruise ship. It was returned for him to use while diving and surrendered when reboarding the ship. Guns will probably not be permitted.

One of my sons graduates in 14 and has his "60 days" before he has to report for duty and we have been contemplating a motorcycle trip to Alaska and back. Since there are only 2 ways by vehichle I thought the ferry up and ALCAN back and take our handguns up on the ferry and have them shipped home to a local FFL when we come back through Canada. Anybody done a trip each way before? Bears are obviously a big consideration especially tenting at least some of the way, anyone carry a shotgun on their bike through Canada? I think Canada has some sort of annual tax/permit for each long gun brought in by a non resident. Security on the bike would also be a consideration, I'm sure thousands travel the road every year with nothing but I'm in the research stage right now so I'm weighing options.

The last time I was on an Alaskan cruise, they objected to my swiss pocket knife.

On the Canada part try to take the Dempster highway. Tho maybe not on a bike. It is truly wild and beautiful. The 100km or so from Prince Rupert east is one of the most beautiful stretches of roar you will ever see. So is the Columbia Icefields highway from Jasper to Lake Louise. If you get to Vancouver take the drive up to Whistler. It is also very pretty and one of the best motorcycling roads in the country if there is no traffic.
Cheers
RR