Royal Caribbean will dedicate two ships to humanitarian efforts in Australia and California to support those affected by the wildfires, in addition to delivering protective masks into China to help with the coronavirus outbreak, it has been announced.

Spectrum of the Seas will travel to Australia and be deployed on complimentary cruises sailing from Sydney in support of the country’s first responder community, who worked over many weeks of the bushfire crisis.

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley said: “We are in a fortunate position to offer these brave and selfless members of the Australian community the opportunity to join us for a few days and let them relax and unwind in the company of other volunteers and first responders.

“By welcoming and accommodating them aboard Spectrum of the Seas, we hope to recognise their contribution and offer them our hospitality.”

Bayley noted that the ship and its crew have not been in China for more than two weeks, exceeding public health guidelines.

When circumstances improve, Bayley added that Royal Caribbean International will dedicate a ship in China to a series of complimentary sailings to thank first responders and medical personnel for their heroic efforts to defeat the virus.

Meanwhile, the cruise company is working with its suppliers to deliver one million N-95 protective masks into China for government distribution into affected areas.

Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO Richard Fain said: “When things go wrong, this is a company that wants to find a way to help. At Royal Caribbean, we consider ourselves fortunate to be able to use our ships in a positive way during difficult times.

“We admire the all-out efforts of the Chinese government and people to address this crisis, and we want to bring our resources to bear to help their efforts.”

In addition, Celebrity Millennium is repositioning to the west coast of the US earlier than previously scheduled and will offer a series of “Cruising for Heroes” sailings in support of California firefighters, other first responders, and veterans throughout March and April.

A variety of three-, four- and five-night sailings have been added to the brand’s offerings to travel the Pacific Coast. The sailings will leave from Los Angeles and details will be announced soon.

For more information, visit royalcaribbean.com.