GateGuardian

2 hours ago, HOBE SOUND CRUISER said:

What was the cost of the test by CVS?

If you have insurance, they'll charge it to your insurance company. If you don't have insurance, they'll charge it to the federal government. At the end of the day, you don't have to pay for it.

8 minutes ago, pcur said:

This is a home test, but there are two Binax testing products.  BinaxNOW is the one that is proctored online with a telehealth visit, and is accepted by RCCL.  The ones sold at Walgreen's are not accepted by RCCL, because the results are not verified by a health professional, and you cannot (for now) buy BinaxNOW test kits at retail pharmacies in the US.

yeah, that's what I meant.

I'm on the Seashore in December. Hopefully, my reservation doesn't get cancelled :S

2 hours ago, pcur said:

BinaxNOW is proctored, accepted by RCCL, and RCCL has a link to purchase them from Optum.com:

https://store.optum.com/royal-caribbean/

 

 

I was referring to the ones you buy from Walgreens/CVS to take home.

3 minutes ago, Josie201 said:

Did you have it done in the Walgreens or take it ‘home’ or to your hotel.  I was unable to set up an on line account in the Abbott app because it did not recognize my Canadian phone number or email address.  I’m thinking if I have it done in a Walgreens that won’t be a problem.  Can you advise the process you followed, as a Canadian with no US contact info.  

I did the ID NOW NAAT test via drive thru. They give you a kit and you swab it in front of them, then dropped it in a box at the drive thru. I work in the US, so have a US phone #. I have not tried using my Canadian info, but would think there may be some roadblock. I've shown them my Ontario driver's license before and they were ok with it, but sometimes they don't even ask for my ID, just confirmation # and DOB. 

Note, CVS does not ask for a SSN when creating an account, but Walgreen does, so you might want to try a CVS instead. However, Walgreen gives an option to have ID NOW or PCR or Antigen while CVS is only PCR/ID-NOW or Antigen. CVS does not give the option to search specifically for ID NOW. That said, I've never had issues with PCR results coming back late. The only time was maybe the start of the pandemic. CVS takes appointment up to 13 days out, while Walgreen only takes appointment 3 days ahead.

Also, my understanding is the take home ones are antigen tests only and you can't use them to get back into Canada. In addition, the take home ones are not proctored, so you can't use them for the cruise. 

If you need it for the flight home after the cruise, the ship do provide testing.

I use it to fly back to Canada. I usually get it within 24hr-30hr.

Are you running on a VPN? If so, try turning it off.

30 yr old guy here and also introvert. My next three cruises are all solo sailing, which may be a challenge as there arn't many solo activities on the cruises right now. I'm all for meeting new people on my trips, it's just finding them in the first place. 

I get a bit nervous going to new places as well sometimes. Going on the ship's excursion helps a bit.

A little data point. I fly back and forth between Canada and the US every month (even during the pandemic) for work. When I fly back to Canada, I have to take a PCR test within 72hr (not 3 days so less time). I can also take the ID NAT tests, but PCR is easier to find in the US. Back in April to June 2020, it would take almost 3 days to get my results back, but nowadays, the longest I waited for a PCR test is 48hr. So I think you'll be ok. The chances of you getting the results longer than 3 days is very slim unless they messed up the tests. 

My only recommendation is have a backup plan, such as finding a place that does rapid PCR test i.e. airports.

Also, I don't have children, but I don't think they provide online results or any email documents for children (at least for CVS). You have to call in to get the results. That was my co-workers experience getting his family tested prior to flying back to Canada so YMMV.

2 hours ago, Want2Cruise 701 said:

Was this for the Dec. 19 Oasis?  If so, can you post the new itinerary?  TIA

My Oasis cruise in Dec also lost San Juan as a port of call:

As part of the guidance received from the CDC, we've implemented new boarding protocols, so we'll need some extra time for check-in and we'll now depart from Miami, Florida at 6:00 PM, instead of 4:00 PM. Separately, pier construction in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic has been delayed which means, we'll no longer be able to visit this port and as a result, we unfortunately won't make our visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico either. However, we'll visit our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten instead! Additionally, to maintain your safety and wellbeing, our visit to Labadee has been replaced with a sea day due to the current political and security situation in Haiti. We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise with us, and we're sorry for any inconvenience caused by this. The good news is, we've added extra time to our visit in Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten - giving you more time to enjoy these beautiful destinations. We're excited to take you to new ports and know you'll have an excellent time! Below, please find our revised itinerary.

I'm on the Oasis in December sailing solo as well! Glad I booked it before the sale was gone! Looking at the current dailies, looks like it will be very hard to meet other people.

On the ship, I just usually hide my phone in the bag and underneath a towel. If I'm going to a public beach, I mostly won't bring my credit card with me, just some cash, ID, and phone. I'm debating if I want to bring a lock or waterproof pouch. 

I know many have said not to worry on the ship, but there has been threads on here in the past of passengers witnessing other people shoplifting, so have to bit a bit careful regardless.

I was just looking at the dailies on the Oasis of the Seas thread and did not see any solo cruisers meetup scheduled, though they did have Friends of Bill and LGBT gathering scheduled.

Thanks for posting this. I was actually looking at this excursion. Done a lot of ATV tours, but havn't tried wave runners before.

Does anyone know if I can buy these in stores like Walgreens or CVS? If so, is it on the shelves or I need to talk to a pharmacist to get one? Is it easy to get one or sold out in most places?

I don't live in the US, so can't get it shipped, but want to pick some up before my side to side cruises.

Thanks!

1 minute ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

last week there were plenty of appointments available where we are as well. But not FOR today or tomorrow when we need it urgently and not for travel.

True. I've never been able to get same day appointments for CVS/Walgreens. They seem to not allow that or they just get booked up. 

I don't know if these are free, but there are availabilities for today and tomorrow:

Advanced MD | Patient Portal

RTW Health Services COVID Testing (dragonflyphd.com)

12 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Don't know about Fl, but I am anxiously trying to schedule a covid test for my kid, and there is nothing available here in north Atlanta. Walgreens lists the closest antigen test available in ....ta-da.... Virginia.

 

Oh, sure, both Walgreens, CVS, and a bunch of urgent care centers list a bunch of addresses where they test, but none have any appointments available for any kind of test for a couple of days out.

I work in Tucker and got my antigen test last week at the CVS there. They didn't show any availability till like a week before I had to fly.

Edit: Just did a quick check on CVS site and there are definitely availabilities for antigen and PCR tests in Decatur.

I booked a cruise in December. When can I start booking activities, dining, and shows? Right now, I can only buy shore excursion and drink/dining packages.

I booked Oasis and Odyssey for December with 0% supplement rate on a balcony in December. MSC also has a similar deal going on, but with drinks and wifi included.

46 minutes ago, JessyCruises said:

 

Yes they are but only for those who need it for re-entry into their home country.  We are Canadian and require a negative PCR test to fly home on the 11th so RCL has told us they will be providing it at no cost.

Thanks. Do they require you to show your booking reservation for your flight back to Canada? I'm most lightly being using my flight pass, so might not book anything till last minute.

Got December off, so trying to take advantage of the low single supplement rates:

Dec 4, 2021 - MSC Seashore

Dec 12, 2021 - Odyssey of the Seas

Dec 19, 2021 - Oasis of the Seas

Not my favourite cruise lines but a cruise is a cruise and can't wait to get my sea legs back!

Thanks for the live report so far.

Do you know if the ship is offering PCR test on the ship for travelers flying home after the cruise? If so, what is the cost?

21 minutes ago, lstrong said:

Is the My Chart app through cvs or a generic app?

MyChart is a separate app that is used by multiple healthcare providers. When you install and launch it. it will ask you which partner to join, and then you can choose CVA.

I've gotten my PCR test from CVS in Louisville KY, Atlanta GA, and Oakland, CA before. All had drive thru, so no need to park anywhere. I booked my appointment 48hr and they never asked for my ID. Just my date of birth. Got my results in the MyChart app within 24hrs.