A female medical professional with a stethoscope examines a patient, whilst a third person in uniform appears blurred in the background.

A person in uniform with epaulettes and red and gold stripes is seen from behind, wearing a stethoscope round their neck, suggesting a medical or healthcare professional.

Medical team

Fast‑track your medical career

If you want to fast‑track your medical career, becoming a cruise medic puts you right at the heart of the action. Join our team and you gain skills and recognised qualifications while working in a fast‑paced, rewarding environment. Our well‑equipped medical centres and people‑first approach ensure you deliver high‑quality patient care, all while you build experience across a wide range of medical specialisms.

Work hard, travel the world and enjoy the stability of a private‑sector salary, plus all the benefits that come with life at sea.

Doctor

Provide expert medical care and clear, confident health advice to guests and crew. Manage emergencies, support wellbeing and collaborate with a talented, diverse team in a unique clinical environment.

Contract at a glance

Experience opportunities

Medical facilities

Application criteria

Contract at a glance

Contract type: Permanent

Rotation pattern: 200 days; 12 weeks on, 12 weeks off OR 243 days; 12 weeks on, 6 weeks off.

Potential for tax free earnings for UK and other residents.

A doctor in a white uniform with shoulder epaulettes and a stethoscope round his neck smiles whilst holding papers and talking to a patient in an office setting.

Experience opportunities

Earn a competitive salary, enjoy the benefits of private healthcare, and travel the world as part of your role.
Work in modern, well equipped medical centres, building strong independent clinical skills.
Up to 10 training days every year, with access to both internal and external courses to support your ongoing development.
As a GMC designated body employer, we enable UK Doctors to revalidate and maintain their registration while working on board.
Develop clinical leadership skills by helping manage a standalone medical department, with clear opportunities to progress into Senior Doctor or Lead Medical Officer roles.
Thrive in a fast paced and rewarding environment with autonomy in patient care, on site laboratory and radiography facilities, and extended leave at home between contracts to rest and recharge.
Work on board P&O Cruises and Cunard ships and have the chance to visit even more destinations around the world.

Three medical professionals stand smiling indoors; two women in navy scrubs are on either side of a man in a white uniform with shoulder epaulettes, all wearing name badges.

Medical facilities

On board you’ll have access to laboratories with machines to process blood tests (including haematology, biochemistry, cardiac panels and blood gases) plus a number of investigations to test for conditions like influenza, COVID‑19, dengue, malaria, hepatitis, HIV and streptococcal pharyngitis. Our medical centres also have dedicated wards with facilities including:

Cardiac monitoring
Ventilators
Arterial and central lines
Non-invasive ventilation
Blood transfusion capability
X-ray

You’ll also have video laryngoscopy, ultrasound, telemedicine support and clinical resources such as TOXBASE, UpToDate, and Medusa.

A clean, modern medical examination room with an examination couch in the centre, medical equipment, cupboards, and supplies along the walls, and a round window letting in natural light.

Application criteria

Essential:

Medical degree
4-year post required (FY4/ST2 or equivalent, plus two years as a SHO)
Minimum of 6 months’ A&E or ICU experience within the last 3 years
Competent experience in airway management – intubation and conscious sedation
Competence in management of common cardiac cases and the ability to lead a cardiac arrest team
Able to reduce common fractures / dislocations
ALS (Advanced Life Support) / ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
UK GMC Registration or current medical registration in one of these countries: Australia, Canada, European Union countries, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa (with DipPEC) or United States of America.

Desirable:

ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) / APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support)
General Medicine Experience
Primary Care training / experience

Two men in white naval uniforms stand and smile in an office. They both wear glasses and shoulder epaulettes, and are positioned in front of a desk with office equipment, a computer, and a window in the background.

Nurse

Deliver expert, compassionate nursing care to guests and crew, responding quickly to emergencies, supporting day‑to‑day wellbeing and working closely with a skilled team in a dynamic, ever‑changing environment at sea.

Contract at a glance

Experience opportunities

Medical facilities

Application criteria

Contract at a glance

Contract type: Permanent

Rotation pattern: 200 days; 12 weeks on, 12 weeks off OR 243 days; 12 weeks on, 6 weeks off.

Potential for tax free earnings for UK and other residents

A nurse wearing a white uniform smiles whilst checking the blood pressure of a seated patient, also in uniform, in a medical setting with monitoring equipment in the background.

Experience opportunities

Deliver high‑quality patient care in a modern, well‑equipped medical centre within a fast‑paced environment.
Build new skills, gain experience across multiple medical areas
Up to 10 training days every year, with access to both internal and external courses to support your ongoing development.
Earn a competitive salary with private healthcare benefits, while developing practical skills in blood testing, X‑rays, emergency response and medical department management.
Work closely with experienced medical professionals, build strong teamwork skills and gain experience that supports progression into senior shore‑based roles.
Work on board P&O Cruises and Cunard ships and have the chance to visit even more destinations around the world.

A man in a white uniform stands beside a large, modern medical imaging machine in a bright, clean room.

Medical facilities

Cardiac monitoring
Ventilators
Arterial and central lines
Non-invasive ventilation
Blood transfusion capability
X-ray

You’ll also have video laryngoscopy, ultrasound, telemedicine support and clinical resources such as TOXBASE, UpToDate, and Medusa.

A hospital ward with medical equipment, blue chairs, workstations on wheels, monitors, and supplies on walls. Lighting is bright, and the room appears clean and organised, designed for patient care.

Application criteria

Essential:

General Adult Nursing Degree or Diploma
Three years post qualified experience
At least 6 months’ experience within A&E, or ICU in the last 3 years
You must have UK NMC Registration or current medical registration in one of these countries: Australia, Canada, European Union countries, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa or United States of America.

Desirable:

ALS (Advanced Life Support) or ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)

A smiling nurse in a white uniform stands in a medical room, resting her arm on a large red and black emergency bag placed on a hospital bed.

Medical team benefits

Permanent contract

Rotation pattern of 12 weeks on / 6 weeks off OR 12 weeks on / 12 weeks off.

Tax free salary

You may benefit from tax‑free earnings, depending on your country of residence and local tax rules.

Maintain registration

Dedicated GMC & NMC appraisal and re-validation support to maintain your registration.

First-rate facilities

Well-equipped medical centres with a full range of facilities.

Enriching experiences

Fast paced and rewarding environment.

Travel allowance

Annual allowance covering travel, accommodation, and meals to and from gateway airports in your country of residence.

Training days

Receive up to 10 training days every year, with access to industry recognised courses to support your ongoing development.

Unique opportunities

Gain skills and qualifications across all medical specialisms.

Private cabin

Enjoy your own private en-suite cabin with dedicated steward service.

Use guest facilities

Enjoy access to guest restaurants and facilities such as the gym and spa. (You need to pay for items that are chargeable.)

Local leave

Request local leave in your joining or leaving port to explore destination across the world.

Accompanied travel

A relative or nominated person/s can travel with you in your cabin at no cost for 60 days in a twelve-month period.

Meals and accommodation

We provide all your food, accommodation and uniform, including laundering.

Travel the world

Life on board offers a unique experience of travel and adventure.

Medical team roles

Two men in white uniforms with shoulder stripes stand indoors, reviewing documents together. One is holding a black folder whilst the other looks on attentively. The setting appears to be an office or control room.

A doctor in a white uniform with a stethoscope round his neck sits in an office, attentively listening to a patient seated opposite him.

Four healthcare professionals, three in blue uniforms and one in white, stand smiling together in a medical centre with wood flooring and a sign reading Medical Centre in the background.

A nurse in a white uniform stands smiling beside a counter, with a round window and a potted orchid in the background. Her reflection appears in a glass surface nearby.

Three people dressed formally in black stand arm-in-arm, smiling, in a corridor with red curtains and bright ceiling lights, creating a glamorous, professional atmosphere.

A smiling healthcare professional in a white uniform hands a clipboard to another person in blue scrubs at a medical centre reception desk. A clock and a large screen are visible in the background.

Senior Doctor

Lead and develop the onboard medical department. Deliver high‑level clinical expertise, guide the team and ensure the highest standards of safety and care for guests and crew across the ship.

Doctor

Senior Nurse

Lead, support and inspire the nursing team, delivering high‑quality care, overseeing daily clinical operations and ensuring safety and wellbeing across the ship. Play a vital role in maintaining exceptional standards in a fast‑paced, multicultural environment

Nurse

Public Health Officer

Champion onboard public health, conducting audits, delivering training and driving best practice in disease prevention, hygiene, food and water safety and infection control. Work across departments to protect the wellbeing of everyone on board.

Healthcare Assistant

Support the onboard medical team, carrying out clinical tests, assisting with daily tasks and helping guests and crew feel safe, supported and at ease. Grow your skills in a friendly, multicultural environment while contributing to exceptional healthcare at sea.

View live roles

Hear from our team

A woman in a white suit stands smiling with arms outstretched on a balcony inside a luxurious, warmly lit building with ornate décor and curved railings.

“I craved a new challenge and working at sea has provided me with new opportunities, further enhancing my professional skill set.”

Charlotte, Nurse,

FAQs

Skills & qualifications

Team roles

Development opportunities

Working on board

Can a GP apply?

Yes, GPs bring highly valuable primary‑care skills because much of the role involves routine and crew-focused clinical care. However, you must also manage emergencies in a remote environment. Therefore, you’ll need significant Emergency Medicine experience, exposure to anaesthetics, and confidence in performing rapid sequence intubation. Most GPs will require additional emergency and anaesthetic training before they can work safely at sea.

Can an Emergency Medicine Doctor apply?

Absolutely. Emergency Medicine gives you the breadth you need to handle a wide range of onboard scenarios. You must be highly competent in advanced airway management and confident performing intubation without extra support. Experience across ICU and anaesthetics from formal EM training usually meets requirements, but hands‑on real‑world RSI and airway experience is essential. Some General Practice exposure is also helpful.

Can Anaesthetists apply?

Yes. Anaesthetists’ strong airway and critical‑care skills are extremely relevant. You must also have practical Emergency Medicine experience to support confident decision‑making in urgent, remote situations. General Practice exposure is advantageous.

Can Nurse Practitioners apply?

Yes—you’re welcome to apply. However, your onboard scope of practice may differ slightly from your shore-based role.

What nursing skills are required?

Nurses act as first responders, so independent assessment and triage experience is vital. You must confidently perform:

Venepuncture
Male and female catheterisation
Drug and vaccine administration

Recent A&E experience is especially valuable, although ICU nurses are welcome to apply.

What medical facilities are available on board?

Our ships feature advanced medical centres designed to support both routine care and urgent interventions. Facilities include:

Haematology, biochemistry and cardiac panels
Blood gas analysis
Point‑of‑care testing for influenza, COVID‑19, dengue, malaria, hepatitis, HIV and strep
Dedicated wards with cardiac monitoring, ventilators, arterial and central lines, NIV and transfusion capability
X‑ray
Video laryngoscopy and ultrasound
Telemedicine support
Digital clinical resources (TOXBASE, UpToDate, Medusa)

These facilities allow you to deliver high‑quality care while making confident decisions in varied and remote clinical situations.

What does a typical day look like?

You’ll work split shifts every day. This usually includes morning and afternoon GP‑style clinics, plus an on‑call rota shared across the medical team. Without paramedics on board, you’ll be the first responder at emergencies. Between duties, you can relax on board or explore ashore.

Are there progression opportunities?

Yes. You can progress to Senior Doctor or Senior Nurse, typically after gaining a year of maritime experience. You’ll also receive around 10 training days annually, with access to internal and external courses to support continuous professional development.

Do you provide UK visa sponsorship?

No. We’re unable to provide UK residency sponsorship.

Can I choose my ship?

You can request certain ships or itineraries, and we aim to accommodate where possible. Final placement depends on rota patterns and business needs. You’ll work across P&O Cruises and Cunard, gaining varied experience.

Can I bring a relative?

Not during your first assignment, which acts as your induction period. After six months, relatives may stay with you on board. Accommodation and meals are included, but travel and onboard spending are at their own cost.

What accommodation is provided?

Doctors and nurses have private en‑suite cabins, plus a cabin steward for cleaning and free uniform laundry.

Is food included?

Yes. You’ll enjoy free meals in officer or crew mess areas, with access to guest restaurants when space allows. Some speciality venues may charge a small fee.

Can I use guest areas?

Yes. Officers may use most guest facilities, including restaurants and the gym. Uniform is required in guest spaces (with some exceptions), and you may interact with guests as needed.