NattilyAttired

VeriFly is a way for a cruise company (or airline) to aggregate several travel requirements in one place, verify the legitimacy of same, and then speed the onboarding process. We boarded Eurodam in Seattle on September 3rd at noon and, by using Verifly and being in a Neptune Suite we were onboard within 7 minutes of dropping our bags. Of course we carried hard copies of everything just in case, but they were not needed, save for our passports. HAL also has new facial recognition software they used throughout the cruise to verify identities when re-embarking. All of these technologies actually do make things much faster, if you follow the directions.

In my opinion, VeriFly made HAL look very efficient and organized due to how the app streamlined boarding. Boarding started at non and the ship sailed at 3pm.... and the app helped HAL board all those people in a very short amount of time. Quite an improvement over prior boarding issues I have experienced.

I am not commenting on whether or not negative tests are required, since we all know that is cruise-specific. (We needed them on September 3). When a traveler gets within the final 72 hour window for a particular cruise, I am betting that the VeriFly app will only ask for the required credentials, whereas it may not beforehand.

1 hour ago, bogey said:

So, to set up the test, all you do is call the customer service number?  Sorry if I’m missing something. I just ordered the tests and have no other info at this point. 

Close, but no. When you are ready to take the test, you log on to their website using the internet. It's not a phone call.

Is there a difference between a cruise of 2,000 vs 3,600 people?

Yes. The difference is 1600 more people.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. But yes, there is a difference. More crowds, more kids (if it's summer), and decreased food quality on Princess. HAL costs more because it's a better product. Eurodam is a great ship, and I look forward to returning to it two weeks from today.

In our opinion it is the best restaurant on the ship (one of the best restaurants on any ship), and also has far and away the best/prettiest bar on the ship. We will eat there several times on our Eurodam cruise in three weeks. I understand that not everyone will agree, and tastes and palates vary. But it's worth a try!

1 hour ago, VTcruisenut said:

the box the tests come in were crushed in shipping and the little plastic seal on the box popped................the contents are still sealed.  hopefully we can still use these?

 

I cannot say unequivocally, but let's hope so. Try to push the box back into shape as best you can before you go online. The proctor will first want you to hold the box up to the camera so they can read the QR code and expiration date on the sleeve, to make sure the test has not expired. Then you can slip off the sleeve and open the box end. Don't mention that the seals were/are broken. Pretend to use a knife or your fingernail to open the seal, then take the contents out. Since the swab, cartridge and solution are all still individually wrapped, you should be fine.

Yes, if you use it with the eMed online proctoring component. 

Thank you for your thorough review. Much appreciated, and all noted for my upcoming Alaska cruise on Eurodam.

10 hours ago, AFNavigator said:

Perhaps the confusion is with the versions ordered.  The Binax Now Ag tests sold online are the eMed proctored version and are one test per box.  They are sold in 2 or 3 packs but that just means you will get 2 or 3 individual sealed boxes.  They come with a big red "DO NOT OPEN Until Instructed" banner on the box.  You don't open the box until your online test proctor instructs you to do so. If you open the box before being told to do so, you invalidate the proctored test and just wasted your money.

 

There is also a Binax Now version sold in drug stores that are a two-pack  Those tests are not linked to the online proctor and do not have the "DO NOT OPEN..." banner on the box.  Since this version isn't medically supervised, it isn't accepted by the cruise line.  It is simply a home test for your own use.

 

I believe the Binax Now Ag proctored version are only sold online.

AF Navigator is correct. The BinaxNOW Ag tests are the only Binax tests that come with the online proctoring option. These tests come one test per box, not two tests. A three pack will include three separate boxes of one test each. Each test must remain sealed until you are on the internet call with the proctor. You can indeed purchase one three-pack for 2 or 3 different people to use. We bought a six-pack, and used two before departing for our cruise in April, two for the return trip home after post-cruising in Rome, and will use the other two in a month before an Alaska cruise.

1 minute ago, QueenofEverything said:

Yes, I did see your post on the other thread.  Can you tell me the cost of testing like you did?

We bought our tests in a six-pack for about $170, I think, from Optum (www.store.optum.com). I do not see the six-pack available today. However, they are selling a two pack for $69.99, and a 3-pack for $99.99. These prices include the test kit AND the online proctoring and validation report.

See my post in the other thread about tele-health testing. We bought BinaxNow Ag tests, which are administered/proctored by eMed, which is affiliated with BinaxNow (Abbott Labs). No one else can/will proctor a BinaxNow test. This is what HAL means. We used these tests on Oceania, and with airlines.

15 minutes ago, QueenofEverything said:

What is the cost this test?  I assume it includes the test kit

We bought our kits from Optum (www.store.optum.com). We bought a six-kit pack (two going over, two coming home, two in case we made errors) but I do not see that listed now on the site.  I see a two-pack for $69.99, and a 3-pack for $99.99. And yes, the purchase price includes the online test component. Note: The Ag descriptor on the box (Binax NOW Covid-19 Ag Card Home Test) denotes that this is a tele-health test. Binax also has a home test (not labeled Ag) which is cheaper but does not include the tele-health component. Make sure to buy the Ag version if you want the proctored test result for your cruise.

1 minute ago, Cailey53 said:

We plan on using Binax Now tests on Monday for a Wednesday sailing— one question— can we both do our tests on the same call or will it require a second sign in for the second person? We plan on using a laptop but also have the Navica app installed on my phone. Thanks!

We did them back to back on separate calls. I do not believe you can do two tests on one call. It was super easy though; just takes twice as long (about 20 minutes each).

We bought the BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag test kits online (that is the very specific name for the telehealth version of the Binax test) made by Abbott Labs. When you purchase the kits, the price includes the online test fee; it's built into the cost, so you won't have to pay again.

An affiliated company/service called eMed does the test supervision. Before you take the test, download the Navica app on your smartphone and register. That is where your test result will be sent. When you are ready to take the test, log in on your laptop, iPad, or cell phone to start.emed.com. It's an internet connection, not a phone call. The connection will use the camera on your device. Hint: a laptop is easier because it can be angled to show the table in front of you as you take the test and it has to stay focused on your test for 15 minutes. It is harder to do with an iPad or phone, but not impossible.

You will be connected to a test administrator over the internet; you will hear the administrator but not see them. They will see you, however.  They walk you through the test, including watching you open the test kit, so you must make sure it remains sealed until you start the online session. You will take the test and they will verify that you did it correctly. When you have placed the drops in the cartridge, the administrator will start a 15 minute timer and then they will sign off. However, you must keep your camera focused on the test cartridge the entire time so they know you have not switched it out.  After 15 minutes, another administrator comes on and asks you to hold the cartridge up to the camera so they can see the result. They will verify if the test is positive or negative. Once that is determined, eMed will send an email to you with your results, as well as sending a QR code to your Navica app.

It may sound complicated, but it is in fact super easy (with a laptop.) We have used the tests twice, once at home before departing on a cruise, and once in our hotel in Rome before returning home. It worked flawlessly.

Hope this helps.  Happy to answer any questions.

3 hours ago, michigankate said:

We would love to go back to cruising, but needing a COVID test before returning to the U.S. has stopped us from cruising.

MichiganKate: The requirement to test negative before returning to the U.S. is not a cruise-specific requirement. If you fly to any foreign country and spend time there, you will be required to take a Covid test before boarding your flight home, at least for now. Maybe you already know that, and if so I apologize. I just want to make sure that cruising doesn't take all the blame for this controversial U.S. requirement. 

Here was our April boarding experience:

Traveled as a group of four couples from Lisbon to Rome on Nautica on April 23. Two couples had pre-selected an 11am embarkation so they could leave their luggage with the stevedores, get checked in and boarded, then leave the ship to see more of Lisbon. We did not sail until 9pm. They had a full afternoon of sightseeing planned. 

The two other couples (including my wife and I) had pre-selected a 2:30 embarkation. We left our luggage at our hotel and toured Lisbon, and had a wonderful local lunch in town. At 2:15 we gathered our belongings from the hotel and took a cab to the port.

The results: The 11am boarding group experienced total chaos at the port and it took 90 minutes for them to step onto the gangway. There was confusion, crowds, buses of Oceania hotel transfers, and a lot of standing around. Once on the ship, they were told that because of Covid protocols, they were not allowed to leave the ship. Were my friends happy about all this? No, they were not.

Meanwhile, my wife and I and the couple we spent the morning with showed up at 2:30 and were inside the ship at 2:44pm. Fourteen minutes in all, and that was only because we had to walk a quarter of a mile from the registration desk to the ship. Literally no one was checking in when we were. We showed proof of negative test within 3 days and they took our luggage. Then we went upstairs into the terminal and filled out a short health form (they actually filled it out for us and we signed it), and then walked inside to the deserted registration counter and showed our passports and proof of vax and got our cabin keys. And off we went.

Found out later that the delay in early boarding had something to do with covid testing for continuing cruisers (several tested positive) and the need to reposition some passengers to quarantine rooms, and then a thorough cleaning of some cabins before new passengers could be boarded. Our ship, with a capacity of 700, only had 320 on board for our cruise, although there were over 500 on the disembarking leg. 

So.....I realize that not everyone will experience what our group did. I am only sharing our recent experience to give some perspective to this discussion.

No you do not. On our recent Med cruise, from Portugal to Rome with stops in Spain and France, we needed a PLF for Portugal (upon landing) and we were GOING to need one for Italy, but the Italian rules had changed by arrival date. We never even filled one our for Spain or France.

Also, If you did need one Oceania would have told you by now.

Put the boy in a shirt with a collar and buttons (i.e. not a t-shirt) and clean pants and shoes and socks and he should be fine. His behavior will be more important than his wardrobe, but at least make an effort to have him look nice. This is my opinion, not a statement of Oceania policy.

I sailed in late April, in Europe. I had a test 3 days ahead of time, not 72 hours. (Tested Wednesday morning, embarked Saturday afternoon). Oceania honored the "day" commitment chart they had posted. Three days before a foreign departure, 2 days before a US departure. You will be fine with your test on Saturday before a Monday cruise.

I was in 8048 on Nautica earlier this month and we never noticed any noise from the pool deck or Waves grill above.

My wife and I just returned from a 12-day cruise with three other couples on Oceania Nautica from Lisbon to Rome, April 23 through May 5. I contracted with Spain Day Tours for full-day private tours in both Seville and Malaga. We could not have been happier with the service and attention we received. The Nautica is a small enough ship that we were able to dock right in the heart of Seville, unlike larger ships that dock in Cadiz. Our guide Fran met us about 100 yards from the ship and walked us across the street to the Plaza de España where we began our tour. Fran was a fun and knowledgeable guide and made sure we had an amazing experience, We eventually picked up audio guide devices so we could hear him in the busier parts of town, and a van met us to give us a riding tour of the bigger city, before dropping us at the Alcazar. Fran took us on a wonderful tour of this amazing palace and garden. We later spent some free time for lunch and sightseeing in the center of town, before meeting the van to take us back to the ship. 

Three days later we met our SDT guide Debbie and another van at the pier in Malaga. I had arranged a tour out to Puerto Banus and Marbella, followed by a journey up in the hills to Mijas, and then back to Malaga to see the Alcazaba. At every step of the way Debbie provided history, local insights, and knowledge about the Costa del Sol. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Mijas, even on a misty day. And the tour of the Alcazaba was a great workout with some amazing views of the city below. At the end the van delivered us back to our ship.

Dealing with Emilia at SDT to organize the tours was extremely easy, and she made thoughtful suggestions to enhance the trips. We enjoyed being on private tours during this time of Covid, and having the flexibility to adjust each day due to our whims, which you can't do on a ship tour. Finally, the total cost for our tours was about half what it would have cost to do excursions through the ship. Having our own built-in group certainly made it easy.

I cannot recommend Spain Day Tours highly enough.

KvB

23 hours ago, Norseh2o said:

Arriving in Lisbon 3 days prior to embarking the Insignia, June 14.  Does anyone know of a Covid-19 test site in Lisbon?

There are dozens of pharmacies in Lisbon that will do rapid tests and provide the required documentation within minutes. Ask your hotel concierge; they handle this request many times a day. It should not cost more than 30-40 euros. Some may require an appointment, others take walk-ins. You have three days so you will have no problem.

I was just in 8048 on Nautica from Lisbon to Rome. An excellent location.

2 hours ago, makai 7 said:

Good question!  I asked the same question- how did they know it was me? I did not get a good answer.

Beth and Kevin: I just found out your names (also found your last name through your yahoo email address) based on posts you made recently in the Regent forum. It doesn't take a hacker to look at your posts and find it. That could be how Oceania found your name and cabin number from you Makai screen name.

NVM. Some people just want to argue.

I am guessing that, in this age of Covid, Oceania (like so many other companies) is doing everything it can to provide "contactless services." Examples: submitting our room key photos digitally from home, having digital boarding passes and other records, virtual muster drill, etc. By eliminating some of the paper goods which are circulated by staff to guests, they are reducing both costs and risk of contagion. As I said, this is a guess and is not stated as fact.