Set Sail with Confidence
Take your Cruise Ship Medical Examination at FirstMed in Budapest
Cruise Ship Medical Examination (Cruise Exam) is a specific Pre-employment or Re-employment Medical Examination (PEME/REME) for seafarers (Seafarer Medical Fitness Examination). This official assessment evaluates your health status in accordance with international regulations and the requirements set by cruise companies. The purpose of the examination is to ensure that you are in good health to take on your onboard duties, and protect your, your fellow crew members’, and passengers’ safety on board.
Please read all the information below carefully, as this page contains the necessary details for a smooth examination process.
At FirstMed in Budapest, we provide services in English, with staff communication and documentation aligned with international cruise operators’ requirements and industry standards.
We have established relationships with a range of cruise companies, including:
- Celebrity Cruises,
- Disney Cruise Line,
- MSC Cruises,
- Norwegian Cruise Line,
- Oceania Cruises,
- Royal Caribbean Group,
- Virgin Voyages,
and more, who have entrusted us with seafarer medical examinations.
Get your Cruise Ship Medical Examination at FirstMed simply
The Cruise Exam process is tailored for cruise line crew members and seafarers. Each step is easy to navigate, and all necessary services and support are available in one place. We recommend scheduling your exam 3–6 weeks before your departure date; however, we cannot book earlier than 8 weeks in advance.
Schedule an appointment
For a smooth examination process, please fill out the registration form at the bottom, and we will call you soon to schedule your visit. It's best to come in the morning hours (from 8 a.m. on weekdays) as the exam includes a fasting blood test.
Visit the clinic
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to finish your registration. Our clinic is near Széll Kálmán tér metro station, easily accessible in central Budapest. Note that late arrivals may result in rescheduling (10–14 days later) and an additional charge.
Take the exam
The complete exam usually requires a 90-120-minute visit, including sample collection for lab tests, a chest x-ray, and a physical check-up. Although additional time may be necessary for further exams (e.g., a gynecology exam), if set out by your cruise line operator.
Receive the results
The results are ready usually within 1-1.5 weeks of your appointment.
We will send your documents by email or you can pick them up personally at our reception.
What does the Cruise Ship Medical Exam include?
Our authorized Cruise Ship Medical Exams are thorough and tailored to meet the general requirements of cruise line operators. The check-ups and examinations described below comply with necessary health and safety standards for seafarers. However, these requirements may vary by cruise line and your position, and they may change from time to time to align with current regulations.
The necessary exams, all carried out at our clinic, generally include the following:
Lab test
First, you will take selected lab tests (such as blood sugar and cholesterol measurements). For accuracy, don't drink or eat for 6 to 8 hours before the lab tests. If your job involves work with food, the lab should also evaluate your stool sample.
X-Ray
We conduct chest X-rays or other imaging studies at our in-house diagnostics center, as it may be necessary to evaluate potential respiratory or cardiovascular concerns.
Medical checkup
Finally, you will receive a comprehensive physical evaluation, which usually includes height and weight measurements, blood pressure, an eye test (with and without glasses), and a hearing test, all conducted at our clinic.
Vaccinations
Depending on the requirements set by your cruise line operator, you may also need certain vaccinations. You can get these at our clinic, but they are not included in the exam price and involve further costs.
How to prepare for your Cruise Ship Medical Exam?
Here are some recommendations to help you get ready for the exam and ensure everything goes smoothly:
Review the medical form sent to you by your cruise line
Check whether you have any health conditions we should be aware of for your exam.
Collect medical notes
These inform us about the details if you have such a health condition that may be relevant to the exam.
Note your blood type
Some cruise lines (such as Virgin Voyages) may require your blood type. If this applies to you, bring a document indicating your blood type (if known).
Prepare a list of medications
Note your regularly taken medications, including the dosage and frequency. This will help us understand your medical background more comprehensively and avoid potential drug interactions during testing.
Collect stool sample
If you will be working in the food and beverage department, take a stool sample and bring it to your appointment in a container available at pharmacies or our lab.
Fasting
You will need to take fasting lab tests at the examination; therefore, please do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before your appointment (water is allowed and recommended). We will take a blood sample during your visit.
Relax
Last but not least, try to get a good night’s sleep and come to your appointment relaxed. Anxiety can affect certain exam components, such as blood pressure readings, so it’s in your best interest to arrive calm and rested.
Before your appointment, please email copies of your medical and administrative documents to phonenurse@firstmedcenters.com so we can ensure that all necessary exams and checkups are scheduled. In the email, indicate your full name, date of birth, and appointment time.
What to bring to your appointment?
In addition to the preparations mentioned above, certain documents are required to conduct the necessary examinations and complete the official forms. Please bring the following to your appointment:
Medical examination form(s) given by your cruise line
Please bring the printed copies of the cruise line medical examination form(s) you got from your cruise line operator. This form details all health requirements to be assessed and needs to be filled in accurately. Please complete the “Patient/Employee” section before your appointment.
Royal Caribbean staff must complete a specific online form before booking their appointment.
Passport
Bring your passport to your appointment. This ensures that all documentation is accurately processed and personalized for you.
Seafarer's / Crew ID number
Please also give your ID number upon appointment booking.
Medical records
If you haven’t sent it to us previously, please bring any medical documents relevant to your cruise line health exam, including your blood group documentation (if available).
Vaccination booklet
Bring your vaccination booklet or immunization card, as it contains your vaccination history. Depending on your destination(s), certain vaccinations may be necessary.
Glasses or contact lenses
If you wear glasses corrective lenses, bring them and their container along with you, as a vision test is typically part of the examination.
Stool sample, if your job will involve working with food and beverage
If you will be working in the food and beverage department, bring your stool sample to your appointment in a container available at pharmacies or our lab.
Your Cruise Medicals Specialist
Dr. Zoltán Gyulai
General Practitioner, Internist
Dr. Zoltán Gyulai is a dynamic and dedicated General Practitioner and Internist at FirstMed, where he has been applying his extensive training and hands-on expertise since 2014. In general medical care, he specializes in cruise ship medical examinations, providing pre-employment and re-employment medical evaluations for seafarers.
Dr. Gyulai’s career in Hungary included significant roles at renowned institutions such as MÁV Hospital, Honvéd Hospital, and Nyírő Gyula Hospital before he widened his horizons in England, where he served at The King’s Oak Hospital and The Clementine Church Hospital. His work in England, involving complex cases across multiple departments, enriched his expertise and practice ethos.
Cruise Ship Medical Exam price
Pay for the Cruise Exam in advance online via our webshop to reduce administrative processing and waiting time.
Cruise Ship Medical Exam
from HUF 96,000
This cruise employment examination price includes the full examination and documentation processing. The vaccination cost shall be paid in addition to the exam price. We bill the vaccinations at pharmaceutical prices; their cost typically ranges from HUF 10,000 to HUF 60,000+, depending on the number you receive.
Any questions?
Should you have any questions about cruise line medical exam or require further information before your appointment, do not hesitate to contact us at +36 1 224 9090 or email phonenurse@firstmedcenter.com.
Request your Cruise Ship Medical Exam here
Booking your appointment
Once you have completed the form above, we will contact you soon to book your visit. If you would like to speed up the process, you may call us directly at +36 1 224 9090 (Mon–Fri, 7:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.). Outside these hours, we will reach out to you on the next business day.
Email confirmation: If we offer you a time via email, you must reply to confirm; otherwise, the slot may be released.
