Sex claim clouds cruise

P&O cruise ship the Pacific Sun. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi cruisegoers have been warned to watch their backs after an alleged sexual assault on "New Zealand's favourite cruise ship".

A young woman claims she was assaulted on P&O's Pacific Sun 12 days ago while it was cruising near Noumea. Police boarded the ship when it docked in Brisbane last Saturday and spoke to a number of passengers.

A Queensland police spokeswoman confirmed that the alleged victim was a "juvenile" and no charges had been laid. The alleged victim is not a New Zealander.

The Pacific Sun was hailed as "New Zealand's favourite cruise ship" in March when P&O launched an extended 2010 sailing season featuring more destinations for Kiwi travellers.

P&O is among five cruise brands managed by Carnival Australia. The company brings an estimated 52,000 passengers to New Zealand each year.

The alleged assault happened four days into a seven-day cruise around Vanuatu and Noumea. About 1900 people were onboard at the time.

The allegation comes less than two years after a 46-year-old Auckland woman claimed she was raped on P&O's Pacific Star. The woman said she was attacked in her cabin by a 37-year-old Australian early on New Year's Eve in 2007.

After investigating, police decided not to lay charges.

P&O spokeswoman Sandy Olsen said allegations of crime aboard its fleet were "extremely rare. I am aware of only one court case arising from an incident aboard our ships in the past five years.

"We would be the first to agree that one case is one too many. But when you compare the number of complaints arising from incidents aboard our ships with the rates of offending in the community, P&O Cruises' ships are demonstrably safe places to be."

Detective Sergeant Andy King, who heads Auckland's adult sexual assault team, said cruise ship passengers needed 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 said.

"Quite often cabins close by make it more convenient for people to get into situations that might be compromising. People should use their common sense. Where people are socialising and drinking, issues will always arise."

King had heard of only two cruise ship sex attacks involving Kiwis in the past three years. But US-based International Cruise Victims' Association spokesman Ken Carver said sexual assaults had always been a problem.

"One of their businesses is to sell alcohol," he said. "There needs to be independent security on cruise ships. Frankly, going on a cruise ship that has no independent police and serves alcohol is risky."

P&O's website said "significant" changes were made to its cruises after Australian mother Dianne Brimble died in a cabin after taking a mix of alcohol and the drug Fantasy.

Changes included increased security staff, installing between 300 and 500 CCTV cameras in public areas and changing the way alcohol was served to avoid excessive intoxication.