Get your Fit to Cruise medical certificate signed by a UK-registered doctor, and delivered straight to your email within just a few hours.
Planning to set sail soon? Whether you’re embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition, a luxury voyage, or a travelling while pregnant, some operators will ask for a Fit to Cruise Medical Certificate before you travel. This medical clearance confirms that you’re in good health and fit to join a cruise — particularly important for routes to remote destinations like the Arctic, Antarctic, or other areas where onboard medical facilities are limited.
At Merlin Health, our UK GMC-registered doctors issue same-day Fit to Cruise certificates for passengers of all ages. The process is simple, quick, and entirely online — so you can get medically cleared for your trip without the hassle of clinic visits or appointments.
Getting your Fit to Cruise medical certificate is quick and stress-free with Merlin Health. Here’s how it works:
Tell us about your health, travel dates, and cruise itinerary.
One of our UK-registered doctor will carefully review your information and assess your fitness for cruise travel. If your cruise line has its own medical form, you can upload it here too.
Once approved, your Fit to Cruise medical certificate is emailed to you the same day — ready to forward to your cruise operator or travel agent.
To issue your certificate, you’ll need to fill in our online health questionnaire with the following:
The entire process is fully online, meaning no waiting rooms and no appointments — all completed from the comfort of your home.
“Cruises can be incredible experiences — but before you set sail, many operators want reassurance that every passenger is medically fit for the journey. At Merlin Health, we’ve made that process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Our UK GMC-registered doctors carefully review each application to ensure you’re fit to cruise and meet your operator’s health requirements. Most certificates are issued within just a few hours, and every one is fully verifiable and trusted by cruise companies worldwide.
My team and I will always do our utmost to make the process smooth, quick, and reliable — so you can set sail with confidence.”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
“Cruises can be incredible experiences — but before you set sail, many operators want reassurance that every passenger is medically fit for the journey. At Merlin Health, we’ve made that process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Our UK GMC-registered doctors carefully review each application to ensure you’re fit to cruise and meet your operator’s health requirements. Most certificates are issued within just a few hours, and every one is fully verifiable and trusted by cruise companies worldwide.
My team and I will always do our utmost to make the process smooth, quick, and reliable — so you can set sail with confidence.”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
Your Fit to Cruise Medical Certificate from Merlin Health includes all the essential details cruise operators look for when verifying your health status before travel. Each certificate is individually reviewed and signed by a UK GMC-registered doctor and is accepted by major cruise lines around the world.
Every certificate includes:
This ensures your certificate meets the specific requirements of cruise companies — whether you’re joining a polar expedition, pregnancy cruise, or simply travelling with a pre-existing health condition.
Yes — if your cruise line has a specific medical declaration form, we can complete it for you. Simply upload it when you apply. For an additional £25, our doctors will fill it out, sign, and stamp it before returning it alongside your Fit to Cruise certificate.
A Fit to Cruise Certificate is a key safety measure used by cruise operators to ensure all passengers are healthy enough to travel and participate safely in onboard and shore activities. Unlike standard holidays, cruise journeys — especially those to remote destinations — can involve limited access to emergency medical care, harsh weather, and prolonged periods at sea.
Common reasons cruise companies request this certificate include:
Having this document ready helps you avoid last-minute boarding issues and ensures a smoother check-in process with your cruise operator.
Many cruise lines — especially those operating in remote or expedition regions — require passengers to submit a Fit to Cruise or Medical Clearance Certificate before departure. These include:
If you’re unsure whether your cruise requires a certificate, check your booking documents or contact your cruise provider’s medical department.
Some NHS GPs may issue a fit to cruise or fit to sail letter, but it’s not guaranteed. Many practices decline such requests due to insurance restrictions, limited appointment availability, and non-NHS administrative policies.
At Merlin Health, we provide a fast, private alternative. You can complete your assessment online, and receive your certificate the same day, reviewed by a UK-registered doctor experienced in cruise medical requirements.
No waiting rooms. No delays. Just the documentation you need — delivered directly to your email.
A Fit-to-Cruise Medical Certificate is a doctor-signed letter confirming you’re medically fit to travel by cruise ship. It’s often required for expedition itineraries (e.g., Arctic/Antarctic), pregnancy after a certain gestation, older travellers, or passengers with pre-existing conditions.
Cruise lines may request proof of fitness if you are:
Pregnant (beyond a policy threshold),
Over a certain age (often 70+),
Joining remote/expedition routes (polar, transoceanic),
Living with a long-term or complex condition (cardiac, respiratory, diabetes, mobility issues), or
Recently recovering from illness or surgery.
Apply with Merlin Health in three steps:
Complete our secure online medical questionnaire (travel dates, itinerary, conditions, meds).
A UK GMC-registered doctor reviews your information and supporting records.
If suitable, your signed certificate is issued the same day and emailed as a PDF with QR verification.
Most applications approved by our doctors are issued the same day (usually within just a few hours). You’ll receive a signed PDF by email that you can print or share with your cruise line.
No clinic visit is needed. Our service is fully online. If a doctor needs clarification, we’ll contact you promptly by email or phone.
Yes. Upload the operator’s medical form during checkout. For an additional £25 admin fee, a GMC-registered doctor will complete, sign, and stamp it, and return it alongside your Fit-to-Cruise certificate.
Your certificate includes:
A clear statement confirming you’re fit to travel by cruise ship,
Relevant medical notes (if needed by the operator),
Doctor’s name, signature, and GMC registration number,
QR code for authenticity checks, plus Wilmer Health contact details.
Yes. Our certificates are widely accepted by major cruise lines, expedition operators, and travel insurers. Acceptance is ultimately at the discretion of the operator, so always review your cruise’s specific medical policy.
Often, yes. Provide an up-to-date summary of your condition, treatment, and medications. Our doctor will assess your risk in the context of your itinerary (e.g., sea days, remote ports, limited onboard facilities). If you’re safe to travel, we’ll issue your certificate; if not, we’ll explain why and refund you.
Yes — subject to your gestation and the cruise line’s policy. Many operators set limits later in pregnancy and may require confirmation of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Upload your maternity notes (or equivalent) with your estimated delivery date and recent antenatal entries so we can assess you quickly.
If your cruise line mandates medical clearance and you can’t provide it, you may face denied boarding or additional checks at the port. Getting your certificate in advance prevents delays, stress, and potential loss of fare.
The certificate is £49. If we need to complete a specific cruise operator form, add £25 for form completion. No hidden fees.
Speed, access, and documentation quality. We provide same-day digital certificates, completed by UK GMC-registered doctors, with QR verification and optional completion of cruise-specific forms. No waiting for appointments—ideal for time-sensitive sailings and last-minute travel admin.
Not always. Mainstream itineraries may not require it for all guests, but expedition cruises (e.g., Arctic/Antarctic) and some operators set mandatory medical clearance thresholds for age, pregnancy, or medical complexity. Check your line’s documentation requirements.
Got a question or special requirement? Email us at info@merlinhealth.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
Get the right medical letter for your situation.
Get a same-day Blue Badge medical letter, signed by a UK-registered doctor — suitable for local council disability and mobility applications.
Get a same-day Housing Support medical letter, signed by a UK-doctor — for council housing, priority housing, or tenancy support applications.
Get a same-day Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter, signed by a UK-registered doctor — suitable for landlords, airlines, and workplaces.