Is the cruise industry going to be able to continue to regard checked luggage differently than the TSA does carry on luggage on air-transports?

Well, it was like this. I was smuggling bourbon, and our friend was bringing wine in his checked luggage. See, years ago, we all used to bring a bottle of something, and no one cared. But then the rules changed. So, we both get a letter stating they want us to come down and open our luggage due to a discrepancy on the X-Ray. He was already panicking. So, I head down and believe me, I wasn't the only one there. Someone from, NCL comes in and tells us about the cruise contract ( yadayadayada ). Look, I didn't read my mortgage, do ya think I read my cruise contract ? Anyway, my friend gave up his wine immediately. Glad I didn't use him for a bank robbery. Then they got around to me. I opened my luggage and they pointed to something metal on the X Ray. So, I pulled out my nail clippers, scissors, Swiss Army knife, whatever. They look at it, it's fine. Then they ask, " anything else ? ". Now, if they had said show us this, this, and this, I would have complied. But, they didn't. So, I answered " nope, nothing else ". Thank you sir, enjoy the cruise. Thanks for your cooperation. I walked out laughing. So yes. I did go to the naughty room. And in the end, I never opened the bourbon.

Side note: BAK1061 in the naughty room??? I'm shocked!

Seriously, thank you for the clarification, Kennicott. I hope I understand. If not, the following comment won't make any sense...

This raises a point of whether a cruise ship is to be considered a mode of transportation, as an airplane is... or an accommodation, as a hotel is. It's a hybrid really. My perspective is that a cruise ship is a floating hotel, I am not sure that regulations regarding container size are reasonably transferrable in this instance.

What if the powers-that-be decide that cruise ships fall more into the category of an airplane? Then changes to container size rules (as well as other regulations) will cause quite a ruckus within the cruising public. I won't be very happy to have to use the crappy shampoo and body wash products offered by some of the lines. That's why I place full-sized products in my checked baggage.

Checked luggage is screened. If you have ever been invited to the naughty room, you'd know that. Voice of experience here.

Not exactly, for the most part all luggage, hand carry or checked is screened, both on airlines and cruise ships.

Even before TSA, there were/are quite a number of items that a passenger is not allowed to have possession of inside the passenger cabin or more accurately have possession of when entering the secure area of the airport, but many if not most of those items can be carried inside checked luggage. Without going into a litany of detail regarding the security history of why each item is prohibited from being hand carried into the secure areas, suffice to say that once on the aircraft they could be used to endanger the flight and other passengers. The reason those items are allowed within checked luggage is that the passenger has no way of gaining possession of them until safely away from the aircraft and outside of the airport's restricted area.

However, the big difference between checked luggage on ships and that on airplanes is that the ship guest gains possession of the luggage and all therein after boarding. If cruise lines are relegated to follow the security procedures of airlines, then here are the lists of items the cruise guest can not transport on board the ship or more accurately inside the secured perimeter surrounding the ship (in either hand carry or checked luggage).

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/prohibited-items

As an example, take liquids for instance. A passenger may not bring more than a 3.4 ounce bottle of water into the airport secure area. But after in that area or on the aircraft the passenger may purchase a larger bottle of water or soda, etc. Same would hold true on the ships, any single item of liquid over 3.4 ounces, other than medications, passengers would have to purchase once on the ship, they could not have it in any luggage.

Liquids Rule

"You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag separate from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage."

So my question is, how are guests going to react once security on the ships is a tight as it is on aircraft nowadays?

My understanding is that all luggage is screened after it is dropped off with porters at the curb. I am more concerned with those who carry-on large pieces of luggage.

Kennicott - is this what you are referring to?