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Latest reply from Johantoronto

(12 posts) (9 people)

Cruise Line Physical

Posted 1 year ago by blevinspercussion

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blevinspercussion said 1 year ago

Good day everyone! I'm loving this web site, there is so much valuable information here and David's "Chronicles of a Cruise Ship Musician" was instrumental (if you'll pardon the pun) in my deciding to pursue cruise lines as an employment option.

I've passed an audition with Proship and I have a couple other auditions coming up while I'm waiting on a contract. I'm curious about the physical. What kind of things will keep you from getting a gig on a cruise line? As far as I know, I'm fit as a fiddle, (my blood pressure is just a little tiny bit high) I'm just curious about this and can't really find any info about it anywhere.

Also, what are the chances of me getting reimbursed for the cost of the physical? I've heard that it's possible, but any information I can find is kind of vague.

Thanks again for this great web site!

--adam--
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Ron said 1 year ago

When I worked for Carnival they said there was no provision get a reimbursement for medical. Maybe it is different if you go through an agent. On the other hand, I did have insurance to cover it.

I believe the medical is more strict if you are over 35 too. You're blood pressure may go up when you are at sea!
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blevinspercussion said 1 year ago

Thanks for the reply. At 29, I'm not over the hill quite yet (but I'm quickly approaching, lol) and I'm not too concerned with getting reimbursed, I was just curious.

Can anyone weigh in on what will come up in the physical that will cause me to lose a contract?

--adam--
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Ron said 1 year ago

Not really...Unless you have some sort of strange pre-existing condition that will cost them a lot of money. That's probably discrimination though. I wouldn't worry about it.
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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

Ron's right. The things that would make you lose the contract are chronic or major diseases like advanced diabetes or cancer. That's my guess anyway. Basically, if they find anything that could blow up into a huge problem one night while you're out to sea, that could cost you the gig. It sounds like you'd be fine.

Usually you have to pay for the physical yourself. It doesn't have to be a good one, though, so don't go to the best specialist in town. When I did it I went to the doc that was giving $50 back-to-school physicals.

I once had Proship offer to pay for my physical. There was a gig they absolutely needed a pianist for immediately and I didn't really want to do it. They offered to pay for the physical as an incentive. (I didn't take the gig, or the physical, in the end.)

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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

P.S. - glad you dig the site!

Join my songwriting newsletter at Songwriter.fm
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drummaman1 said 1 year ago

It would be nice if they helped us out with the medical, wouldn't it?

Last one I did in January cost me $600 roughly. Bloodwork does it every time. I've heard stories of crew people renewing their physicals while on contract so they can take advantage of central or South American ports. The cost of doing a physical there is CONSIDERABLY lower than in the States.
Also note: make sure that EVERYTHING they list for you to have documentation of is THERE. If not, they have the authority to TERMINATE your contract and you'll be getting off that ship so fast you won't know what hit you. What really happens is they arrange for the missing tests, but at your GREAT EXPENSE. Hey, if you wanna stay on the ship and work, you don't have much of a choice, especially when you had a chance to make sure everything was in order BEFORE you signed on the ship.
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cruiseshipgreg said 1 year ago

Of the 3 diffrent cruise lines I worked for , 2 paid(reimbursed me) for the physical and 1 did not. If it's a physical like RCCL it's very extensive they ..lots of labs for everything including any past or present VD, prostate check, shest xray...I mean everything! Others lie Cunard or any non US Carnival ship, like P and O ,Cunard all you you need is an ENG1 or Norwegian Maritime Directore Certificate....take 20 minutes and costs $75.00 in the US.
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ColinJ said 1 year ago

I just did a physical for carnival, and there was absolutely no way to get reimbursed for it, although they did offer a way to have it scheduled so as to get a group rate, but I would have had to go to the hospital of their choice, 2 1/2 hours away.

here is the list of tests they required:
CBC: Complete blood count
Metabolic panel to include: Glucose, Calcium
Potassium, Sodium
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), Creatinine
Alanine Aminotransferase (SGPT or ALT)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (SGOT or AST)
Bilirubin
Hepatitis Screening: Test for active Hepatitis B & C infection â€“ if positive for Hep B, proceed with identification of chronic and/or carrier states
HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus â€“ if positive please repeat to rule out false positive.
Urine Dip Stick Microscopic urinalysis only if dipstick positive
Urine Drug Screen Please test for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, Phencyclidine, and THC
Chest X-Ray Except for US, UK and Canadian residents
Electrocardiogram For all male employees 40 years and older and all females 45 years and older
Females: Urine pregnancy test if exam is greater than 28 days since last menstrual period
Males: PSA for all male employees 50 years and older
All Crew 50 and over Hemoccult for Blood
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JBone said 1 year ago

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows how long it takes to get medical clearance, usually for a given ship. Thanks.

-Jeremy
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floridarob said 1 year ago

So if you are HIV+, will you be allowed to work onboard?

I read some posts that say if you get an offer then it's rejected after the physical and they find out about HIV status, that's Illegal.

Anyone know the truth?
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Johantoronto said 1 year ago

I am HIV Positive....got an email for a phone interview and then an actual interview with Carnival....I am in good health standing...can anybody advise on what the medical is when positive...I take I have to be honest and let them know...will this cause me not to get the job....the position is for a Entertainment host....any advise is greatly appreciated cause it is hard to find info online about being hIV positive and working for Carnival.