mauraoel

10 minutes ago, nonnie&dgd said:

Is the NAAT test OK for kids under 12? I’m going to try to get this test so we don’t have to wait for results.

 

it's the best suggestion I have , even though it's faster than the regular pcr will it be processed fast enough?

2 hours ago, Lou33 said:

 

Mauaoel, I'm just trying to be helpful.  I'm not trying to be argumentative.  Do you share my feeling that the new bulletin by RCI can be interpreted in different ways?  Maybe RCI really does want kids to be tested before arriving at the pier and then again at check-in.  But would that make sense?  When a child get's their rapid PCR test at check-in, then RCI will go with that result regardless of the result of the previous test.  

 

I'm curious what RCI would say if somebody called them.  But you might get different answers depending on who you speak with.  

No it's very clear it follows the cdc requirements exactly.  I am sure that they aren't happy about most of of the changes but it is what it is.

They are the the only cruise line that was catering to families so to have those changes make it harder for be families has to frustrating for them.   The CDC is the organization that is trying to stop the unvaccinated (kids) from traveling. 

He's been make these statements on all the treads.  There is two tests that children have to take.

1 hour ago, Lou33 said:

RCI just changed their policy "again".  They now offer complimentary Rapid PCR tests for kids.  So no worries for families with kids.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise

Only for the boarding day test not for the pre cruise test.

By the way and I am sure someone on this board will correct me if I am incorrect, the three day cancelation deadline has to do with providing a required manifest to CBP.

And don't blame any of the cruise lines on the three and then two day testing period it's all CDC requirements that they have to follow.

13 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

No you missed my point, Not talking about testing positive I am talking about a cancelled test within the 48 hour window while the request for an FCC is prior to the 48 hour window.  folks are still using CVS or Walgreens or Urgent care.

 

If I sail on Friday and have to now test on Wed but the rules say request for FCC on Tues for any reason no longer works.  Requesting an FCC on Wed due to testing positive is only reason then.  The defined ANY reason ended at 11:59pm on TUES.  

 

RCI moved the testing up on day but left the window for requesting FCC 

Again I believe this is why Royal is going to start selling the proctored test kits themselves to alievate this issue.

11 minutes ago, Lou33 said:

The testing requirements are confusing for everybody, and they keep changing.  The way that this is worded, you could take this as meaning that they still need to be tested within 3 days.  But that wouldn't make sense?  Why would RCI require kids to be tested within 3 days before they arrive when they are just going to test them before boarding anyway?  The rapid PCR test at check-in would be the most definitive and accurate test, so why would they need anything else?

Because since they added the testing requirements at the beginning of August kids had to test pre cruise and at embarkation 

6 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

omg you just do not get what I mean.  

 

I am not talking about home test but Pharmacies who email you with a cancel  or if you show up on the day of the test (now 2 days) and it doesn't happen.  Ya lose the ANY REASON request with RCI because it would now be under 72 hrs.  They need to move testing and requesting FCC up 1 day.

 

RCI is more about I think providing FCC if you test positive and could care less about timing of test with the PRIOR Aug 25th rules of 72 request for FCC for any reasons.  

I am sure they are already thinking about that but it's also why the are going to be selling the proctored test kits as of the 8th....

I am more worried about the kids having to have a pcr test and the results not being available in time.

5 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

you missed my point.  

Folks can not cancel 2 days out if their rapid test was cancelled.  

For a Fri sail you must cancel by 11:59 on a TUES.   And the testing window starts  12:01 WED and thus a breakdown for any situations whereby if on WED or Thurs one could not find a test.

 it is a catch 22 situation

and it sounds like in a couple of months the emed but be overwhelmed or out of tests.

 

They are ramping up production I really doubt they are going to run out.

19 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Ok

Alot of reading. And great comments 

 

But. Clarify for me. 
 

Is the 15 min rapid test provided by CVS still accepted.  
 

ty. 

19 hours ago, Lou33 said:

 

No, it never was accepted.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go

19 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I'd like a confirmation too from someone I trust. 

 

Tia

YES It is, both daughters used it last month for our Adventure cruise

Here's the text of one of the articles discussing it.

Cruise Passengers

• Guests on cruises that originate in and return to The Bahamas must still apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and follow the new testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

• All travellers entering The Bahamas on cruises that originate in the U.S. will be subjected to the testing requirements mandated by the cruise line and approved by the Government of The Bahamas.

We have had that conversation on one of the other threads, that vlog is a first time cruiser and they  probably thought they couldn't get off but that wasn't the case. 

22 minutes ago, bajathree said:

Couldn't agree more...this is easy. The cruise lines that were or are doing testing at port....I haven't heard one good review from any of them...just reviews of very frustrating 3-4hr process from terminal to ship.

Even though there is a mobile testing site at PC I won't use it, for us(7 cruisers) it's to expensive. 

Rater spend that money on another cruise. 

48 minutes ago, webecruzin2 said:

I'm so confused.  Getting ready to order Binax Now kits but it say they're AG isn't that antigen?

I thought RC was only accepting PCR tests now.
Bottom line, is Binax Now AG test acceptable and what does an unvaccinated child need? 

I just ordered 4 - 2packs of Binax Now home tests to pick up at Walgreens.
Each pack was 23.99 and they're FSA refundable.
What a shame RC can't find a way to update their website with accurate up to the minute information and we have to look elsewhere for it.
Thank goodness for CC especially in these situations.

 

 

The website is up-to-date,  since last night the CDC only came out with these changes earlier this week.   Antigen thus the home proctored test kits work for vaccinated adults all unvaccinated (in most cases under the age of 12) have to have a pcr so the home test kits don't work for them.  

I truly believe the cdc is trying to stop unvaccinated children from cruising since they can't seem to stop cruising completely.  In order to get these tests completed in time will probably remove most free options.

5 hours ago, Junkhouse said:

Thanks for the information.  I didn't find my lot because my number does not have an alpha character after the lot number.  This is a bunch of doodoo.  From previous information I thought the test would be good until Feb 10, 2022. We were planning to use for a couple of cruises with the first one being in Oct '21 and the last the end of Jan '22.  

Mine will be good for our first January cruise but only just... we will need to test on its expiration date. I don't know how the new two day requirement will affect our side to side since we get of one on Friday and on the second on Sunday.   If the allow us to test on Friday we should be fine but I am not sure if that will work during debarkation.

5 hours ago, smalltimecruiser100 said:

It's official, RCCL testing is now 2 days before. That sucks. Basically if going out of Fla, you'll need to live there. I guess since I live in MD, I'll need to go out of Baltimore or maybe Cape Liberty. It's the CDC causing this change.

I live in Virginia and will be cruising out of Florida this month and in January i am not happy with the changes since the PCR test requirements for kids that aren't vaccinated is impossible but I will deal with the two day window just like we are handling the three day window.   

Hopefully all of this craziness will cease next year sometime so that when our grandkids sail again it won't be an issue.

6 hours ago, pcur said:

I did read both the user guide and the user manual.  I do know the expiration date is 12 months from manufacture.  What I'm referring to is how long the test kit might have been sitting in inventory somewhere before it is sold.  Like buying a bottle of Tylenol:  you buy it from the pharmacy, but the expiration date is more recent than you expect, because it's been sitting in inventory in a warehouse for several months. 

 

What I posted above was a quote from a question asked about the expiration date, and the seller said depending on inventory flow it could be from 4 to 12 months.  That's why I recommend buying it directly from Abbott / eMed.com.  It is likely to be "full strength" for lack of a better phrase.

But the attached document shows that Abbott says the expiration date isn't a year from manufacturer date.  It's about a month off.  Since Abbott is the manufacturer going by their date will be what they do incase of a grievance of the test not working correctly. 

7 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Does anyone know if this type of test has an expiration date?

Yes it does. The fda recently approved an extension of the expiration date so the corrent stock being shipped can have three months added to it.  One they ramp up production the expiration dates will be accurate until of course the fda decides to give them another extension.  🙂

4 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Question so my just delivered kits have an expiration of 10/5/21 with a lot number of 195-100. I need to take these tests on 11/5/21. I’ve read that certain lot numbers have new expiration date but Abbott says they are 195-200. Are my $150 in tests no good?

BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf

11 hours ago, pcur said:

I agree, and I'm leaning more and more toward using this, rather than scheduling appointments.  I downloaded the NAVICA app to my phone to find out more about the process, and you can buy the 6-pack kits directly from the app, which directs you to the emed.com website, and then back to the app.

 

Not yelling here, but: IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IF YOU PLAN ON USING THESE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE EXPIRATION DATE FOR EACH TEST TO BE USED IS 12 MONTHS FROM MANUFACTURE.  HOWEVER, WITH INVENTORY FLOW, YOU MAY END UP WITH A KIT THAT EXPIRES WITHIN 4-12 MONTHS.

 

So, best to buy the kits close to when your first cruise is scheduled.  If you can't use the remainder, you are close to the cost of a rapid test at a testing site, anyway.

 

And, if you really want the details:

 

https://www.fda.gov/media/144574/download

 

Please read the actual documentation from the manufacturer over assuming that it's 12 months from the Manufacture date.

BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf

41 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

5) need to test for re-entry to the US

 

If you want to justify your response, you can't return to the US on a cruise if you didn't get tested to embark on it in the first place.

This right here is what everyone cruising should say.

2 minutes ago, WyKnott said:

Has anyone who've done the at-home tests had trouble getting an appointment to be proctored when you need it? I've heard with the demand, that could get backed up like the rapid tests at CVS and Walgreens.

You sometime have to wait 15 minutes in the que, but it's not really an appointment. 

5 hours ago, SheSailsFL said:

Shelf life = expiration date.  You’re saying there is a difference?  A poster above that you responded to has illustrated the challenge with ordering in advance and getting stuck with product she can’t use. That was my question and remains my question.  Not sure how anyone will know whether they are receiving “old” or “new”stock.  Therein lies the question. 

I do interpret differently, yes everyone is receiving a short shelf life even when you get food you don't buy a gallon of milk that is going to expire in the next day or two.  Right now when receiving these boxes people are getting them with in a month and a half of their original expiration date adding three months doesn't really help.  For this type of item that is a a very short shelf life.  It has already been established that the Stock is running out (there is a link to a cnn article on this I am not going to go find it)  Abbott is ramping up production and will be restocking soon.  After the restock people are going to receive product that won't expire for almost a year (I think that that's a darn good shelf life).  Buying right now for a January or February cruise is the issue they are not that hard to order and they aren't going to go away if they don't order them right now so don't.

All I am saying is if you don't have a cruise in the next few weeks to a month don't order them.  The extra stock I do have will get me through to my next cruise in January but only because I got a set that has an middle of the month expiration date unlike most today.

3 hours ago, RosieRoo said:

I realize it’s not a waste for everyone, I never said it was, but Birdylady specifically said she needed them for February. I was just cautioning her that the tests expire before then so she doesn’t waste her money. 

And if she orders them in December or January she likely not going to get any of the current stock they are going  through them so fast Abbott is ramping up production. 

2 hours ago, loungelady55 said:

Just did one for practice.  I put for travel.  They just asked what airlines, traveling from what county and what city I was testing from. (Probably for the tracking of counties.)

Also, they do expire so order close to your travel date.  Our expire 2 days after we leave and I ordered them 2 weeks ago.

 

Is that the extended expiration or the one on the package?