Sex claim sparks cruise warning 

Source: Reuters

New Zealanders considering a cruise ship holiday are being warned to watch their backs.

It comes amid claims a young woman was sexually assaulted on board the P&O cruise ship, the Pacific Sun,  more than a week ago.

The Herald on Sunday reports that the woman says was assaulted on the boat while it was cruising near Noumea.

Police boarded the ship when it docked in Brisbane last Saturday and spoke to a number of passengers.

No charges have yet been laid.

P&O spokeswoman Sandy Olsen says allegations of crime aboard the fleet are "extremely rare"

The newspaper quotes the head of Auckland's adult sex assault team, Detective Sergeant Andy King, as saying cruise passengers need to watch out for themselves.

"The same rules apply as if they were going out drinking. Look after each other, take care of your drinks," he says.

The allegation comes less than two years after a New Zealand woman claimed she'd been raped on P&O's Pacific Star.

P&O brings an estimated 52,000 passengers to the country every year.