Standard PEME
From £450
- Physical Exam
- Vision/Hearing
- Urinalysis & Drug Screen
- Blood Panel
- Certification
Cruise Ship & Seafarer Medical (PEME)
Pre-employment medical examinations for cruise ship workers and seafarers. Thousands completed. We know what your cruise line needs and we work to your embarkation deadline.
Results3–5 Working Days
TimeApprox. 1 Hour
PriceFrom £450
AvailabilityMon - Fri
Est. 1984
Trusted clinical caresince 1984
UKAS-accredited labsGP & consultant pathways
As Featured In
PEME medical for seafarers in London
A cruise ship medical (PEME) at Medical Express Clinic is a pre-employment medical examination for seafarers and cruise ship workers who need a medical certificate before joining a contract.
A typical PEME at Medical Express Clinic includes a full physical examination, vision and hearing tests, urinalysis, drug screening and a blood panel, with requirements varying by cruise line and role.
The Standard PEME costs from £450 including certification, with final pricing depending on the cruise line's requirements and expedited processing available for an additional £100.
Completed PEME medical certificates are typically available within 3 to 5 working days, and the PEME appointment takes approximately 1 hour.
PEMEs are carried out Monday to Friday at Medical Express Clinic, 117a Harley Street, London, and seafarers should email their cruise line's medical forms in advance so the clinic can confirm what is needed.
How much does a cruise ship medical cost in London?
A Standard PEME cruise ship medical costs from £450 at Medical Express Clinic, including the physical examination, vision and hearing tests, urinalysis and drug screen, blood panel and certification, with expedited processing available for an additional £100.
Expedited Service · +£100 — Priority lab processing. Urgent reporting. Faster turnaround
Your embarkation date isn't moving. Your medical shouldn't hold you up.
You've got a contract, a join date, and a cruise line waiting for your paperwork. The last thing you need is a clinic that doesn't understand maritime medical requirements, takes weeks to return your certificate, or rejects your forms because they've never seen them before.
The International Labour Organization estimates approximately 1.89 million seafarers work aboard merchant ships worldwide. Every one of them needs a valid medical certificate before they can board. We've completed thousands of seafarer PEMEs at this clinic. We know what Royal Caribbean's forms look like. We know what Norwegian expects. We know the difference between what Carnival requires and what Disney requires. Send us your forms in advance and we'll have everything ready when you walk in.
What is a PEME?
A Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) is a standardised health assessment required by cruise lines and maritime employers to certify that a seafarer is medically fit to work at sea. Under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006), all seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate confirming fitness for duty. In the UK, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) sets these standards through the ENG1 examination framework. A typical PEME includes a physical examination, vision and hearing tests, blood work, drug screening, and urinalysis, with the specific requirements varying by employer, role, and flag state.
Most cruise lines require a PEME before your first contract and a renewal every two years.
Cruise Lines We Work With
We have extensive experience completing PEMEs for:
Royal Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line
Silversea
Carnival Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
If your cruise line isn't listed here, we can still complete your medical. Send us the required forms in advance and we'll confirm whether we can accommodate your employer's requirements.
We also provide general pre-employment medicals for non-maritime employers. Call us to discuss your requirements.
What the Examination Includes
PEME requirements vary by cruise line and role. A typical examination covers the following:
Physical Assessment
Full physical examination including blood pressure, pulse, BMI, central nervous system screening, cardiovascular and respiratory assessment, abdominal examination, and hernia check. Your doctor assesses overall fitness for the demands of working at sea.
Vision & Hearing
Visual acuity testing with and without corrective lenses, colour vision assessment, and audiometry (hearing test). Specific thresholds vary by role; bridge and safety-critical positions have stricter requirements than hospitality roles.
Laboratory Tests
Urinalysis, drug screening, and comprehensive blood tests. The standard blood panel includes full blood count, liver function, glucose, lipids, HIV, hepatitis screening, and STI screen. Additional tests may be required depending on your employer's specifications.
All laboratory work is processed through UKAS-accredited labs.
Before Your Appointment
What to Bring
Required
- • Valid passport (photo ID)
- • Your cruise line's medical forms (ideally emailed to us in advance)
- • Proof of vaccinations
If Applicable
- • List of current medications
- • Hospital or GP records for any significant medical history
- • Your glasses or contact lenses
On the Day
Arrive having fasted for 12 hours (water is fine). This is necessary for accurate blood glucose and cholesterol results.
You'll be asked to provide a urine sample on arrival, so don't empty your bladder immediately before the appointment.
Appointment duration is approximately 1 hour, depending on your employer's specific requirements.
Important: If you have a significant health condition (diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, mental health conditions, previous surgery), please email us your medical details before your appointment. This allows us to allocate enough time, advise on any potential issues, and avoid delays on the day.
Results and Certification
Completed medical certificates are typically available within 3–5 working days.
If you have an urgent embarkation deadline, expedited processing is available for an additional £100. This prioritises your laboratory work and reporting so your certificate is ready faster. Let us know your deadline when you book and we'll confirm whether expedited turnaround can meet it.
Your completed forms and certificate are returned directly to you. If your cruise line requires the paperwork to be sent to a specific medical department or manning agency, we can arrange that on your behalf.
Pricing
Final pricing depends on your cruise line's specific requirements. Some employers require additional tests beyond the standard panel. We'll confirm your total cost before your appointment if you send us the forms in advance.
“Maritime medical assessments demand a different level of rigour. A seafarer working at sea may be days from the nearest hospital — the PEME exists to identify conditions that could become emergencies in that environment. We follow each cruise line's medical standards for every certificate we issue.
Sources & References
- The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) requires all seafarers to hold a valid medical certificate confirming fitness to work at sea. — International Labour Organization — Maritime Labour Convention[Link]
- In the UK, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) administers the ENG1 medical examination system for certifying seafarer fitness. — MCA — MSN 1839 (M) ENG1 Medical Examination[Link]
- The ILO estimates approximately 1.89 million seafarers work aboard merchant ships worldwide. — International Labour Organization — Seafarers[Link]
Clinical lead
Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar
Health Screening and Men's Health • GMC 4694470
MD, PhD, LRCP, MSc, DHMSA
“Dr Bakhtiar has worked at Medical Express Clinic for over 20 years and leads the clinical team. His work includes health assessments, sexual health screening, diagnosis and treatment.”
Guides from our clinicians
Written by Mr Stephen Lingam and reviewed by a named, GMC-registered doctor.
FAQs
PEME medical FAQs
How much does a cruise ship medical cost in the UK?
Our standard PEME starts from £450, which includes the physical examination, vision and hearing tests, urinalysis, blood panel, drug screening, and certification. Final cost depends on your specific cruise line's requirements, as some employers request additional tests. Expedited processing is available for an additional £100.
Is a PEME mandatory for cruise ship work?
Most cruise lines require a PEME for new crew members and periodic renewal medicals for existing staff. Requirements vary by company, so check with your employer or manning agency if you're unsure.
How long is the certificate valid?
Seafarer medical certificates are typically valid for 2 years, unless restrictions are placed on medical grounds.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
We can usually see you within the same week. For urgent embarkation deadlines, call us directly on 0207 499 1991 and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Can I get same-day results?
The examination itself takes approximately 1 hour, but laboratory results require processing time. Standard turnaround is 3-5 working days. Expedited service (+£100) prioritises your results for faster turnaround. True same-day certification is not possible due to lab processing requirements.
What if I fail the medical?
If a health issue is identified, your doctor will discuss the findings with you. Some conditions may require further investigation or treatment before certification can be issued. In some cases, restrictions may be placed on your duties rather than an outright fail. We'll advise you on your options and next steps.
Do I need to bring my own forms?
Yes. Each cruise line has specific forms that must be completed. Please bring these to your appointment and ideally email them to us in advance so we can prepare. If you're unsure which forms you need, check with your employer or manning agency.
My cruise line isn't on your list. Can you still do my medical?
In most cases, yes. Send us the required forms and we'll confirm whether we can accommodate your employer's requirements. We've worked with a wide range of maritime employers beyond the cruise lines listed on this page.
Do you do general pre-employment medicals (non-maritime)?
Yes. We provide pre-employment medical examinations for a range of employers and industries. Call us to discuss your specific requirements.
