Set Sail with Confidence
Take your Cruise Medical Examination at FirstMed in Budapest
Cruise Ship Medical Examination (or Seafarer Medical Fitness Examination) is a specific Pre-employment or Re-employment Medical Examination (PEME/REME) for seafarers. 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.
At FirstMed in Budapest, we provide services in English, with staff communication and documentation aligned with international cruise operators’ requirements, and to meet industry standards.
Relationships exist with 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.
Getting your Cruise Ship Medical Exam at FirstMed is simple
The process is tailored to cruise line crew members and seafarers. Each step is easy to navigate, and all the necessary services and support are available in one place.
Schedule an appointment
For smooth appointment booking, please fill out the form below, and we will contact you soon to schedule your visit.
Visit the clinic
Our clinic is easily accessible in central Budapest, as it is near Széll Kálmán tér metro station.
Take the exam
Taking your Cruise Ship Medical Exam usually requires a 90-minute appointment, including lab tests, chest x-ray and a physical check-up.
Receive the results
The results are ready usually within 1-1.5 weeks of your appointment. We will send you them 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 are designed to comply with necessary health and safety standards. 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.
Appointment time required for the full cruise exam
90 minutes
The complete health assessment typically lasts about 90 minutes and includes lab tests, a chest x-ray, and vaccinations (if necessary). However, additional time may be required for further exams or screenings (such as a gynecology exam) based on specific medical requirements set out by your cruise line service provider.
Due to the fasting blood tests, it’s best to schedule your appointment for the morning.
How shall you 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 condition we should know about 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
We will take fasting lab tests at the examination; therefore, please do not eat and drink 6-8 hours before your appointment.
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 visit?
In addition to the preparations mentioned above, certain documents are necessary to make the required examinations and complete the official forms. Please pay attention to bringing the following with you to your appointment.
Medical examination form(s) given by your cruise line
Please bring 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.
Medical document(s)
If you haven’t sent it to us previously, please bring any medical document relevant to your cruise line health exam.
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.
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.
Price of the Cruise Ship Medical Exam
This cruise employment examination price includes the full examination and documentation processing. The vaccinations 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.
Pay the exam in advance online through our webshop, to reduce administration and waiting time.
Cruise Ship Medical Exam
HUF 96,000
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.
