Question 1

What documents are required for the RCL Marine Medical Exam?

Accepted Answer

For your RCL Marine Medical Exam, please bring the following: 
Your RCL Client ID number 
A valid government-issued photo ID - Passport, driver's licence
Any prescription glasses. Please do not wear contact lenses, as vision must be checked without prescription lenses.
Your current or previous Marine Medical Certificate, if available
A list of any current medications and relevant past medical history
Your vaccination history, with particular attention to MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) immunization status.
Any medical documentation you believe should be included with your application.

Question 2

What is the fee for the RCL MME?

Accepted Answer

The current fee for the RCL Marine Medical Examination (MME) is $499 CAD + GST which covers the medical review and examination. This fee does not include the cost of laboratory tests or any additional investigations that may be required.

Question 3

What happens during the exam?

Accepted Answer

During the exam, a full review of your clinical and medical history will be completed, followed by a comprehensive physical examination, including visual acuity and colour vision testing. Any test results or investigations you bring with you will be reviewed as part of the assessment. Please dress appropriately to allow examination of all required areas.

Question 4

Do I need to complete any forms before my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must complete Form A of your medical examination before your appointment date.
You should receive an email from riskonnect@rccl.com with a link and login instructions to complete the form online.
If you are unable to complete it online, you must bring completed paper copies to your appointment.

Question 5

Will I need additional testing?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. Depending on your role and examination findings, you may be required to:
Undergo additional testing
Submit further medical information or documentation

Question 6

What investigations, medical tests and documents are required for new or returning crew?

Accepted Answer

Forms
Form A – completed by applicant, with comments by examining physician
Form B – completed by physician
Medical Certificate – completed by physician

Blood & Lab Tests
CBC (complete blood count)
Metabolic chemistry: glucose, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, ALT, AST, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides
Hemoglobin A1C
GFR (glomerular filtration rate)
Urinalysis

Infectious Disease Screening
Hepatitis A – Anti-HAV IgM
Hepatitis B – HBsAg
Hepatitis C – Anti-HCV
Syphilis – RPR, VDRL, or TPHA
HIV
CD4 / Viral load if HIV positive

Drug & Imaging Tests 
Urine drug screen: benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates (methadone, morphine, PCP)
Chest X-ray – report only
ECG

Vaccinations/Immunity 
MMR – proof of vaccination or immunity
Yellow Fever – TUI crew only
Rubella – TUI crew only

Other Requirements 
Stool Ova & Parasite (Food & Beverage department only)
Audiogram (if marine exam or whisper test abnormal)
Thyroid studies if history of thyroid disease
Specialist reports (back/orthopedic, psychiatric, or other conditions, if applicable)

Question 7

What happens if an abnormality is identified during my clinical review, physical examination, or investigations?

Accepted Answer

If a health abnormality is identified that could impact safe duties at sea, additional clarification and supporting documentation from your treating physician or specialist will be required to determine medical fitness for sea service. This requirement is mandated  to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Question 8

What if I don’t already have recent test results?

Accepted Answer

If you do not have recent copies (within the past 6 months) of all required investigations:
Your assessment will require two separate visits on different days
You will be given requisition forms to complete laboratory testing, ECG, and chest X-ray
It may be helpful to speak with your own doctor ahead of time to arrange these tests.

Question 9

How much time should I allow before my start date?

Accepted Answer

Please allow sufficient time before your planned employment start date, as:
Additional tests
Further documentation
Follow-up visits
may be required before your application can be completed.

Question 10

How long does it take to receive approval once all documents have been submitted?

Accepted Answer

Approval timelines are case dependent and largely depend on how the examination proceeds and whether any medical issues are identified. If your examination is normal and you are deemed medically fit, your application is typically approved by RCL immediately, provided that Form A of the medical examination has been submitted online. Applications done on paper, rather than online via RCL Riskonnect, must be mailed in and therefore may result in processing delays.  If any concerns arise, additional review or documentation may be required, which can also delay approval.

Question 11

How long does it take to complete blood work, urine testing, imaging, and any additional examinations after the MME? Do you require a separate follow-up appointment after completing the tests?

Accepted Answer

If all required additional examinations, test results, and documentation are completed and brought with you to your initial appointment, a separate follow-up appointment is not required. However, if any information or investigations are missing or need to be completed after the initial visit, a separate follow-up appointment will be necessary. This follow-up appointment is included in the original fee unless extenuating circumstances apply or a significant amount of additional work is required.

Additional testing can be completed at a laboratory located in the same building, which is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or at a laboratory of your choice. Test results are typically reported within 24–48 hours.

Question 12

Are test results still acceptable if they were done more than 3 months ago?

Accepted Answer

In general, test results are acceptable if they were completed within the past 6 months. However, acceptability is ultimately case dependent and may vary based on the type of test and individual medical circumstances.

Question 13

If the results are not in English, is a certified or legal translation required in Canada or outside of Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If test results are not in English, an official certified translation is required, and the results must be from a verified laboratory. If you are unsure whether your documents meet these requirements, you may email us a copy of the results in advance and we can confirm acceptability.

Question 14

What if I have a medical condition, heart disease, or am overweight? Will I automatically fail the Marine Medical Exam?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Medical certification is not based on a diagnosis, weight, or BMI alone. The assessment considers the nature of the condition, its stability, any treatment required, the risk of sudden incapacitation, and your ability to safely perform your routine duties and emergency responsibilities at sea.Each case is assessed individually, and it is not possible to determine medical fitness without completing the examination and reviewing the relevant medical information.

If you have a significant medical condition (including heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, neurological conditions, or obesity), please provide any relevant specialist reports, test results, medication lists, and other supporting documentation before your appointment. Having this information available helps avoid delays and allows for a more accurate assessment.

Additional testing or documentation may sometimes be required depending on your medical history and risk factors. Any such requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis and cannot be confirmed before the examination.

Question 15

What happens if additional testing or a follow-up appointment is required, but I live far away or in another province?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, follow-up testing, specialist consultations, laboratory work, or diagnostic imaging can be completed closer to your home, with the results forwarded to our office for review.

Whether an in-person follow-up is required depends on the specific circumstances and the information needed to complete your assessment. Many cases can be managed through review of medical records and test results, while others may require an additional appointment.

If further information is needed after your examination, we will discuss the requirements with you and work to minimize unnecessary travel whenever possible. However, we cannot guarantee that additional travel or in-person assessments will not be required, as this depends on the findings of your examination, any subsequent medical information received, and the requirements of the certifying authority. Please note that medical certification cannot be finalized until all required information has been received and reviewed.

Question 16

How many days are needed between having the medical examination and completing any required laboratory tests?

Accepted Answer

There is no specific minimum number of days required between your medical examination and any required laboratory testing. In many cases, laboratory tests can be completed before or shortly after your appointment. In many cases, laboratory tests completed within the previous 6 months are acceptable, provided they remain relevant to your medical condition and meet the requirements of the examination.

However, your medical certificate cannot be finalized until all required test results have been received and reviewed. Processing times vary depending on the laboratory, the tests ordered, and whether any additional investigations are required.

To help avoid delays, we recommend completing any requested laboratory work as soon as possible and ensuring results are sent directly to our office. If you are travelling a long distance for your examination, you may wish to complete any available testing in advance whenever possible.

Question 17

What is involved in the physical portion of the Marine Medical Examination?

Accepted Answer

The physical examination is similar to a routine medical examination and is designed to assess your overall fitness for work at sea. Depending on your age, medical history, and occupational requirements, the examination may include:
Measurement of height, weight, and blood pressure
Vision testing, including colour vision testing
Hearing assessment
Physical examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen, and nervous system
Assessment of mobility, strength, balance, and coordination
Review of medications, medical history, and any ongoing health conditions
Additional testing or assessments may be required depending on your medical history, examination findings, or the requirements of the certifying authority.
The exact scope of the examination varies from person to person, and the examining physician will determine what is necessary to assess your fitness to safely perform your duties and respond to emergencies at sea.