KruznKimmie

3 hours ago, cbfb said:

Yes! That does make sense! Thank you! I thought you did the testing through the app too. I know I am over thinking this and driving my husband crazy! I just hate having something hanging over my head that I can’t get done until right before we board!!! 

We had the same experience as @Smmessineowhen we did our testing using the app & how to login to begin the test.  The only thing I would add is we printed copies of the results that were emailed to us but we used the the testing for international airline travel & not for a cruise.  This was helpful at the airport because others were having issues accessing their results & I am not certain what their problems were.  

20 minutes ago, MartinsCruise said:

That is what we ran into for the rapid tests so decided to do the BinaxNow tests.  Fingers crossed we'll both have positive tests on the 15th before we fly. 

You want only 1 thin pink line displayed on the test result card which indicates you are negative for COVID instead of 2 lines.

1 minute ago, MartinsCruise said:

If I hear that wait times are long close to the time we need to do this, we may stay up late the night before and log on after midnight because that would technically still be two days before we cruise.

Would you please report back your wait times for those of us leaving in a few weeks?  

Not to mention last month I had to go to an urgent care facility for medical care & it was overrun with people wanting COVID testing so I have no interest in exposing myself to COVID even though I have received the vaccination.  I am much more comfortable doing my own home testing.

3 hours ago, MartinsCruise said:

If he had his account set up beforehand, would they allow you to do one after the other?

Not sure since we had to log off & set up his account before we could continue with the process.

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Could also be a pharmacist, a nurse, or a pharmacy medical technician.  Either way, the test has to be observed by a qualified person to be accepted by Celebrity.  That pretty much rules out the "take at home" tests unless they are observed by one of the above at their location.

A telemedicine supervised @ home antigen test is acceptable for cruises & international travel w/ entry back into the U.S such as the Binax test as discussed in another thread linked to above.

1 minute ago, jgmorgan said:

The BiNaxNow test looks like a good solution for many.  Apologies if this has been addressed earlier, but I didn't find it.

 

What time of day are test observers available i.e., is there a fixed start time and closing time each day?

They are available 24/7.

46 minutes ago, LadyBerard said:

I ordered the 6 pack of tests.  Will receive them Tuesday.  Our cruise isn't until 11/7.  I was not able to download the Navica app on my laptop; however, it did download on my phone.  Here's my question.  When I ordered them, I put down my information and my husband's information.  Does he have to download the Navica app on his phone or can he just use the Navica app on my phone?????

As @helen haywood mentioned you need 2 separate Navica accounts.  I tried to share with my husband but the proctor would not allow this when we did our tests so my husband had to disconnect, create his own Navica account, then log back in to start the process again.

6 hours ago, IsanTom said:

What is the home test? Do you buy the kit at CVS? Thanks

There is another thread listed as Binax COVID test on the celebrity forum where u can find all the info. Kits are ordered online.

1 hour ago, IsanTom said:

We are on the Edge 10/2/21, so we can easily do the BinaX Now Tests. Then we have a MSC Cruise

out of Miami on 10/9/21. Do you think we will have time to do another test when we arrive in port

on the EDGE by phone prior to an UBER to Miami? What do you think?

You do need a stable internet connection. Would do before you leave the Edge and if someone connects immediately when you login to start the test it should take about 20 minutes/person to complete.

@cbfbIt is much easier than I anticipated as well & the instructions were clear to us.  There is a link provided in the test kit you use to initiate the online testing process.

5 hours ago, cbfb said:

I just purchased the 2 pack. We will need it for 2 people. I created my account on the optum site to purchase them. Is this the account used for testing or do we create individual accounts on emed? Unfortunately I can’t open the box to look at the directions until I start the test. 

You need to create an account with Navica & each person creates a separate account.  We downloaded the Navica app on our phones & created our accounts this way.  Go back to the link posted @ post #62 & there are detailed instructions on the testing process.

I have used air through Celebrity several times because you do not pay until final payment is due for your cruise & with COVID this has been helpful.  Make sure you book refundable airfare because if the price goes down before final payment you can cancel & rebook at the cheaper rate.  We have always been able to select seats after final payment is made & can pay for better seats. If you are flying any leg of your trip with a code share partner you could call the airline with your reservation confirmation #, get the confirmation # with the code share then go to their website and select your seat.  
Also, price the airfare you want online then call because sometimes one method is cheaper than the other.  I have found they are usually less through the website. One way flights to Europe have previously been less through Celebrity than the airlines.

46 minutes ago, MartinsCruise said:

 We fly to FLL on Sept 16 so I went ahead and ordered a six pack from emed.  I haven't heard back from them regarding the expiration date but at this point, I don't want to take a chance that they will run out of tests.  When I placed the order I had to fill in both of our names, DOB's and the reason we need to be tested.  There were additional places for more names if needed.  We have another cruise in Nov and a trip to Aruba in Feb so hopefully we can use the remaining four tests. 

At least you will have an extra kit in case something goes wrong which is always a good plan.

When I received my kits from EMed the expiration date was approximately 3-4 months from the time I received the kits.  Hopefully with the demand increasing the expiration time has been extended. 

Also, something I usually do not do is I printed my results so I had a hard copy which was helpful because others were trying to access their results on their phones & having issues.

If you scroll down this post you will find detailed instructions on how to administer the test.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/abbott-at-home-covid-test/

7 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

How long does the test take to be delivered?  

 

I think these tests might be the best route for many as it seems to be controllable as to when you will see your results.   Waiting 10 minutes would be no big issue for me as my test site is further away than that.

When I ordered my tests they said they would arrive within 2 days but then received an email the tests were delayed & it took about 5 days to arrive.  But note as others have mentioned the shelf life/expiration dates were not very long only a few months.

We also used this virtual test in May when returning to the US from Costa Rica & it was so easy & fast.  However, recently I have read there have been some delays once you login to do your test:

https://thepointsguy.com/news/long-wait-times-binax-now-at-home-covid-test/

Love travelling in Costa Rica due the variety from beaches to volcanoes and rain forest but only central Costa Rica & Western part of the country.  There is so much to do in the country from zip lining, beaching, hiking, white water rafting, & the lush beauty is amazing but the roads can be treacherous.

On 6/9/2020 at 6:36 AM, nast said:

Have a cruise booked for next November. 

 

Maybe it's a good time to try Celebrity Air for the first time. 

A few questions: 

 

# What's the difference between Choice Air website and Flights by Celebrity on Celebrity Cruises website. 

These are two different websites for booking Celebrity flights.

Found 2 difference prices for the same flight ??

 

#If Celebrity cancels our cruise in November after final payment. Do we get full refund for flights ? 

or do you have to pay $200 air penalty and processing fee (guess this is only when you cancel by yourself)

 

#Has someone used Best Prices Guaranteed when you find a lower fare on another website ?

 

 

 

 

 

Choice Air should be the same as Flights by Celebrity so I am not sure what 2 websites you are looking at to compare.

If you are booking make certain you book REFUNDABLE airfare and not non-refundable so it is much easier to obtain a full refund with less hassle.

Also, don't forget to price both through the website & on the phone through an agent because the prices car vary.  I will usually find the flight schedule I want thru the website, then call the agent at Choice Air & do a price comparison, then book the least expensive route.

23 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Another question. Can you book with points through celebrity air?

No you cannot.

On 5/29/2020 at 9:56 AM, SunsetPoint said:

So far, haven't heard any disadvantages, which is very encouraging!   Does that mean there are none, or just that no one who's had issues happens to be looking at the Celebrity forum these days?   😉

 

We always get trip insurance (of late, that's been through Allianz and it's been to cover all aspects of the trip), so we'd need to ponder as to whether that would be sufficient protection to book non-refundable flights and look over future insurance contracts carefully.  I'm thinking that there may be a number of changes to travel insurance contracts going forward.

As mentioned the largest advantages are usually much cheaper airfare internationally & refundable which includes you can change or cancel your flight at no cost until final payment.  I will look online then call Choice Air to compare prices but I usually always see cheaper fares online than Choice Air quotes by phone.

I did find I had to check my flights occasionally because there were some changes made & Choice Air did not notify me.  Also, I wanted to pay for upgraded seats but I could not upgrade seats until flight was paid in full & booked after final payment.  I had to call Choice Air to allow me to book upgraded seats because there was a part of their process they had not completed.  If you are diligent this can pay off in some $$ saved.

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

The sea temperature in Santorini is 73 f today.   Really didn’t see anywhere to swim here.   The cliffs dropped off into the sea in most areas.   I did notice they had some tours to some hot springs with a chance to take a plunge.  
 

Tours had no waiting for Tenders.   Regular tenders did have waiting and prioritizing took place for suites, Zenith and Elite and above.  Not sure when open tenders began.   I’ll ask in the retreat this evening. 

You are the best thanks so much!  We are elite but our travel companions are not so just curious.  Hot springs does sound wonderful.

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Back to the ship at 2:00 pm.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for being the "nerd" and taking the time and energy to post as this is helpful for those of us taking the same trip next year!  Question---were there any waits for the tender with the magic carpet?  Your photos are incredible.  Also, don't know if you can answer this question but was the water temperature warm enough to swim or did you see anyone in the water?

13 hours ago, vtcruising said:

Jim, glad you landed safely and are soon going to be living on the Edge! 🙂

 

When on the Reflection, for Santorini, we did a private tour with Santorini Tours (in case anyone is in the planning stage).  We went early to get a tender (probably 8:30ish) and had very short wait for the cable car. We met our guide at the top at 9:15 and took off for Oia to get there before the buses and had the place mostly to ourselves for about 10 minutes. Our guide and driver were wonderful - tailored the day to us and ended up going to the Crazy Donkey Brewery (still have the hats and t-shirts 🙂) and the amazing Argyros winery nearby for an elegant wine tasting with local cheese/meat. It was so good that we bought some wine to take with us and toasted a full moon on the balcony one night. At the end, they brought us to a gorgeous restaurant right on Black Beach and we had a memorable lunch there.

 

Itin: Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Prophet Ilias, Pyrgos or Megalochori Venetsanos Winery, Black Beach

https://santorinitours.com/

That looks like a great plan we might arrange as well,  Do you need to pre purchase tender or cable car tickets?

7 hours ago, darlu said:

Hi All:

 

Would like your help.  We are going to book our first AMA river cruise (7 nights) in Europe for sometime in November or December of 2020.  Our previous river cruise was Viking in Bordeaux.  We are in our early 50s.  Which AMA Europe 7 night cruise for that time of year do you recommend and why?  Please do not include Bordeaux or Douro or one on the Magna.  Thanks for any feedback in advance.  Darin and Lucie

We have done both the Rhine & Danube in Nov & we are also in our 50s.  We enjoyed both but for somewhat different reasons so we usually choose based on pricing & flight schedules.  Once you have done one then you can just return for your next cruise on the other itinerary.  If you have specific questions please feel free to ask.