Thousands of hero Aussie firefighters enjoy some well-deserved time off with their families as they board a FREE luxury cruise as thanks for their brave efforts
- Royal Carribbean's first free cruise for Australian firefighters has departed
- The Spectrum of the Seas will sail along the country's east coast for four nights
- Firefighters were looking forward to relaxing and spending time with family
- The company said it was a way to thank those who battled blazes for weeks
- Firefighters spent months battling violent bushfires that killed 33 people
Royal Carribbean's first free cruise for Australian firefighters has departed, giving volunteers a well-earned break to spend time with their families.
The first of two cruises set sail from Sydney Harbour on the Spectrum of the Seas on Saturday and will travel along the country's east coast before returning to the city.
The second cruise will leave on March 7 and return on March 11 following the same route.
Around 7,000 first responders and their families were eligible to take part in the two cruises, with volunteers applying online and indicating how many family members they would bring.
Firefighters and their families have set sail on a free cruise aboard Royal Carribbean's Spectrum of the Seas to say thank you for their tireless efforts over the bushfire season
Firefighters are enjoying a well earned break aboard the luxury ship, swimming in the swimming pool and surfing on the wave machine
Firefighters were stretched to their limits in an unprecedented bushfire season. Pictured: firefighters attend to a burning home in Bundanoon in NSW in January
Kathy Bairnes from the Lavington Rural Fire Brigade in NSW said she was excited to relax after a hectic bushfire season.
'We love cruising it's just a nice relaxing holiday that you get to basically do nothing, they make your bed, feed you, look after you and it's a great way to have a break,' she said.
'We really thank Royal Carribbean for putting on the cruise and letting first responders have a break.'
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Jason Baxter from the Seahampton Rural Fire Brigade near Newcastle was excited to chat with other firefighters from all over the country.
'There's a lot of stories to share, we've had a pretty hectic season,' he said.
'It will be great to catch up with people and hear their experiences.'
Jason Baxter from the Seahampton Rural Fire Brigade said 'it will be great to catch up with people and hear their experiences'
There are a number of attractions on the ship including a skydiving simulator and dodgem cars, as well as 20 restaurants to choose from
The Spectrum of the Seas was made available for the cruises after staying away from Asian waters for three weeks to avoid the coronavirus infections that have struck other cruise vessels.
The billion dollar cruise ship can house up to 5,622 passengers and includes 20 restaurants.
Entertainment options include a swimming pool, surfing in the wave pool and a skydiving simulator.
Managing Director for Royal Caribbean International Australia and New Zealand Gavin Smith said the cruises will give firefighters the chance to spend quality time with their families after being on call over the bushfire season.
'This was an opportunity for us to say a little thank you to some of Australia's greatest first responders and to recognise the work they've done and all the sacrifices they have made to make this great country of ours,' he said.
This is the first of two free cruises for firefighters on board the Spectrum of the Seas, which will head along the east coast for four days before returning to Sydney. The second cruise will depart on March 7
A rural firefighter stands before a blaze during a controlled back burn along Putty Road in November
Firefighters were severely stretched over December and January, when bushfires destroyed a record amount of acreage and rural towns.
Many volunteers were forced to quit their jobs to help out while some firefighters lost their lives.
Firefighters Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney.
A volunteer firefighter, Samuel McPaul, 28, died when he was battling a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, on December 30.
A 'fire tornado' caused his 10-tonne firetruck to roll before he was killed.
Fires tore through more than 11 million hectares across the country, killing 33 people.
A fireman tackling a blaze with a hose on the outskirts of Bilpin in New South Wales in December
