Tunde I also forgot to say....remember that a tripod moves with the ship. So say you are shooting the decks etc in low light. It wont matter that the boat is moving because your camera and tripod will be moving with it. In my experience, you end up shooting far more shots of onboard the ship than you plan because when the light isn't bright enough out there (morning, evening, night, storm), the stuff on the ship is all you can see! And if you don't choose a slower shutter speed, you photos won't look that great. If the ship gets a chance to hug the shoreline and the light is good enough, then that's the time to use your wide angle or prime lens with a faster shutter speed if you wish. And if it's a fairly big ship, it will be far more stable than you may expect. If your definition of a cruise ship is actually a speed boat then yes, more faster shutter will be needed. ;) 

But to not take a small tripod cos it's a hassle to carry or it makes your bag too heavy, or to just leave you shutter speed high cos it's easier and nothing will blur out will mean you will come home with a card full of happy snaps full of noise and thats about it. And isn't that what you are trying to avoid with this post!!!!!!

Have a great time wherever you go!