Jadn13

Just heard about the plane crash in Alaska involving HAL passengers.

At first the news teased it with just "Cruise Passengers" and I immediately thought of this thread.

Be Safe Everyone!

Just now, bj24 said:

Again (and I realize we are not doctors here), when Princess says Antigen test, is that a rapid antigen test? Or is there another antigen test like the PCR that takes 2-3 days to get results back?

It's a Rapid Antigen Test- Which is the quick test.

I would look over the CVS website, it lists all the details along with payment info. 

9 minutes ago, bj24 said:

Are the rapid tests acceptable?

My CVS said PCR tests for travel are $139 and take 2-3 days for results. So for a Tuesday departure I would go on a Saturday. But are labs open to process tests? 

You don't need a PCR test if you are in the US you can use the Rapid Antigen Test.

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing

Should be free

10 minutes ago, RRFan said:

Has Princess published a list of acceptable tests?  If so, could you give us a link?  That information might be very important!  Thanks!

PCR or Antigen

Those are the names of the test that are approved, It's in all the literature that they have been circulating. 

Additional Resource For Those Who Will Be Looking To Test In Seattle

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx

**I do not have  first hand experience with testing in these locations so please

do your research and call the facilities with follow up questions. 

17 minutes ago, mina said:

Thank you for this info.  Have you had the  Rapid now test at Walgreens?  Their antigen rapid test is not available in my area, only this test.  Reading the description, it does not appear to be an antigen test.   I need to research for more clarity, but am curious if you have done that research already.  Thank you

 

I believe the Rapid Now you are referring to  is a molecular test, which I haven't done. 

Not all Molecular tests are PCR tests so I wouldn't deviate from the PCR or Antigen since Molecular alone  isn't listed as an approved Princess test. 

I would call the testing facility and maybe they can give a better explanation. 

For anyone concerned about testing because it's new to you,

CVS ,  Walgreens and Curative are all legitimate options for the guidelines that Princess has laid out.

Princess has said they will take PCR or Antigen test.

Antigen is a quick test that allows you to receive your results same day 

If you take a PCR test, I recommend getting 2 from different locations just in case one gets damaged or lost.

All these tests are medically observed even if they are self collected, as in you are taking this test in person in front of a medical professional. The person on site guides you through the process with strict instructions. 

In person tests are FREE at CVS, Walgreens and Curative and Tests are allowed for travel purposes, you don't have to say you have symptoms to get tested.

All of these will ask for your health insurance information and submit a  claim to see if it can be approved if not it is paid through a government funded program.  

Free for those with insurance and without 

I posted these links but I'm sharing again so they are all in one place.

I have been testing often  for work over the last year and a half.

This process  may seem overwhelming now but I promise it  isn't that difficult at all.

Your results are emailed to you. 

***the only exception would be at home testing that doesn't involve a zoom call with a medical professional

Walgreens

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_053021

CVS

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

Curative

https://curative.com/

Health and Human Services (Gov't List)

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

I hope this helps ease some nerves.

Happy Cruising,

Jamie

2 minutes ago, spyro1952 said:

In what Walgreens, CVS, or any other testing site is a physician present???

It has to be medically observed, you are given all the direction on how to complete by someone who is medically observing you. 

27 minutes ago, Coral said:

This is what I found:

 

Yes, effective with cruises departing on August 15th, we will require ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative, medically-observed viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings.

 

Medically-observed. My drive through was medically observed by a pharmacist. My results were legit and would be accepted.

Yes! 👍🏻
Even some at home tests are medically observed through zoom.

4 hours ago, caribill said:

Looks too risky for the timing needed to get results:

 

"Please note that due to high sample volume, results may only be available 2 or more days after receipt at the lab."

What is risky is not getting multiple PCR tests. 

Antigen is same day return 

6 minutes ago, P.A. said:

Are these acceptable for Princess? Walgreens in particular?

Yes, they are acceptable for Princess

Another resource for a list of testing locations

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

4 minutes ago, CeCe_ said:

 

Thank you.  Doesn't PCR need 2 business days for the results?  For a Sunday sailing, that is a strike out.

in the verbiage it seems Princess is allowing Antigen which is the quick test.

CVS and Walgreens both have Antigen testing that is Free

19 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Their website says "self-collected". That doesn't meet the requirements that Princess outlined.

 PCR tests are done through Curative and they are done in front of a person.

I did at least 5 through curative at different locations. I also did a quick test antigen at one location,  performed by a physical person.

Each location has different tests and different set ups, you would have to pick the one that meets your needs.

It also says "medically supervised", I stood in a tent w/ someone who described to me exactly what I needed to  do and  that would be considered medically supervised.

For others I had what people call the "Brain Swab" and that was definitely performed by a person. 

Just FYI-

These include travel as a reason for testing, you don't have to show symptoms and they are free.

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_053021

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

26 minutes ago, Italy52 said:

We need fast turnaround so we have to do rapid antigen and insurance doesn't pay since we have no symptoms --- $139 x 4 (2 cruises x 2 people) --- ouch!

If you are in the US you can search for one that could have free Rapid Antigen.

CVS, Walgreens are just 2 I am aware of and they take appts. 

Just now, dreaminofcruisin said:

I wonder if the at-home type tests will be acceptable?
 

This is what the FAQ says:

ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative, medically-observed viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 3 days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings.

 

What does medically observed mean?

Some of the at home tests you have to Zoom with a nurse. That’s how JetBlue run their at home testing. 

1 minute ago, MamaFej said:

Thanks. I'll add that to my list of possibilities. 

We are cruising with Celebrity, then two days in a Seattle hotel before boarding Princess. I know I can test at home for the first cruise. I've spent time today looking at options for testing in Seattle before the second cruise. I'm a bit nervous about the timeline. My tests at home have come back in 16-20 hours, I just hope we can get our results in time for the second cruise. 

It would be great if Celebrity tested us before disembarkation, and Princess would accept those results, but I'm certainly not going to count on that. 

If Princess is accepting rapid antigen tests that’s a game changer. 
Instant results.

If that changes at some point than I would get 2 PCR tests from different locations  just to be safe. 

Another good resource for testing.

https://curative.com
 

I have had to test often for work and used this resource a lot and it was free

Just now, TinaLee said:

I do understand that, but the verbiage for almost every testing site (unless you pay a crazy fee for guaranteed 24 hour results) says that results are usually available in 1-2 days but they do not guarantee that time frame. Would be a shame to get the test and then be denied boarding because your results haven't cleared yet. 

I get 2  from different locations when I needed for work clearance in the past, just to be safe. 

7 minutes ago, TinaLee said:

At least they are accepting the rapid antigen results. Trying to get PCR results on a test within 72 hours when so many fly in a day early and results can't always be guaranteed within 24 hours is a giant pain! 

The results are emailed so technically you could get a PCR test prior to flying within the 72 hour time period. I always hedge my bets and get 2 tests from different locations to avoid any issues with not getting results in time 

Also easy testing at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid for free.

Just check there sites for locations and appts 

Another Itinerary does exist, it's just running 10 day cruises instead of 7 day on the Enchanted

A Note About Cell Service in Alaska

in the latest Yellow Fish Blog she said that someone who works for ATT said that they have a monopoly in the Alaska area and cell service could be beyond limited.

I researched and found this to be true, If you have Sprint or T Mobile you could experience outages or not even have service and Verizon would be super limited 

That may help some decide if they will need internet or not. 

In regard to no shows The App allows you to change times or cancel individual days. 
I’m using it as a place holder for now and during the cruise I’ll decide day by day what to keep, cancel or change 

5 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Cruise depart date?

 

December 4,  2021 is my next cruise and is a B2B but I booked  DMW reservations all the way through cruises in 2023.  I just double checked and I was offered tables for 2, 4, 6 or 8 depending on what was available for the time frame I was looking at in either 2 or 3 different dining rooms.