Antigen tests

[cltnccruisers]

Just now, Jim_Iain said:

When is your cruise.   Mine is September 5 and the next cruise on Equinox.     I'm only receiving messages for the September 5th Cruise.

August 27 - right before you.  Good thing we have CC or we'd never know what to do.  😀

[Reijo]

This really gets more and more confusing.  Initially I thought that it was very simple....a PCP test (brain ticker and maybe 24 hour wait) or Antigen test (15 min results & hopefully NOT the brain tickler).  CVS/Walgreen's/Urgent Care says they do both, then I started reading that what they are calling the Rapid Antigen Test is the Rapid IDNow and Rapid NAAT test that isn't acceptable but they are calling it an Antigen test?  Aren't those totally different tests?  How do we know we're getting the correct test?  I believe I'll just show them the letter from Celebrity and hope I get the correct one.

[markeb]

2 minutes ago, Reijo said:

This really gets more and more confusing.  Initially I thought that it was very simple....a PCP test (brain ticker and maybe 24 hour wait) or Antigen test (15 min results & hopefully NOT the brain tickler).  CVS/Walgreen's/Urgent Care says they do both, then I started reading that what they are calling the Rapid Antigen Test is the Rapid IDNow and Rapid NAAT test that isn't acceptable but they are calling it an Antigen test?  Aren't those totally different tests?  How do we know we're getting the correct test?  I believe I'll just show them the letter from Celebrity and hope I get the correct one.

The IDNow is not a rapid antigen test. The rapid antigen tests are just that. They seem to be harder to find, probably for equipment and qualified people. I don’t see anyone calling the IDNow an antigen test; if you are that’s beyond disappointing. 
 

The confusion is the IDNow versus a PCR. The IDNow is not a PCR, but it is a NAAT, and Celebrity is calling for a PCR, whether that’s what they mean or not. 
 

I really would never advocate this, but I honestly think it’s time to flood X by phone, email, social media, etc, to make them answer if they’ll accept the IDNow. Because I’m getting tired of trying to explain this, and cangelmd is on Equinox and hopefully enjoying her cruise! This isn’t rocket science with clear guidance (a downloadable info paper, for instance) and understandable language. 

[wrk2cruise]

I just sent a note to the Retreat Shoreside Concierge for my next sailing explicitly asking about IDNow.

 

[markeb]

8 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

I just sent a note to the Retreat Shoreside Concierge for my next sailing explicitly asking about IDNow.

 

Do every email you have. I never recommend that, but this has reached stupid. I’ll stay out of technical discussions, but they could either say yes or no, or say any NAAT is acceptable, not just PCR. 

[Jim_Iain]

1 minute ago, markeb said:

Do every email you have. I never recommend that, but this has reached stupid. I’ll stay out of technical discussions, but they could either say yes or no, or say any NAAT is acceptable, not just PCR. 

Agree --- especially since they say for International Guests they have to show a NAAT test result. 

[Jim_Iain]

Just a warning to get  an appointment as soon as available.    I had to have a test today and was amazed that the usually empty test site was in full  force today.    They had 4 lanes open and even  with my 3:55 appointment didn't get tested until 4:20.

 

On the local San Francisco news they were saying appointments are getting harder and harder to get.   Some of it may be related to kids being tested before returning to in person learning starting in about 2 weeks.

[Fouremco]

24 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Agree --- especially since they say for International Guests they have to show a NAAT test result. 

Jim, non-US residents must present a negative NAAT or Antigen test, not necessarily a NAAT test result.

 

The question I have is whether Celebrity wants to see these test results, or are they simply listing this US entry requirement on the webpage to be helpful. Just as they have listed Sint Maarten travel requirements together with  the Celebrity requirements, I suspect that the US entry requirements section has nothing to do with Celebrity's requirements.

[sanger727]

16 hours ago, Reijo said:

This really gets more and more confusing.  Initially I thought that it was very simple....a PCP test (brain ticker and maybe 24 hour wait) or Antigen test (15 min results & hopefully NOT the brain tickler).  CVS/Walgreen's/Urgent Care says they do both, then I started reading that what they are calling the Rapid Antigen Test is the Rapid IDNow and Rapid NAAT test that isn't acceptable but they are calling it an Antigen test?  Aren't those totally different tests?  How do we know we're getting the correct test?  I believe I'll just show them the letter from Celebrity and hope I get the correct one.

 

I've only gotten tested at Walgreen's, but the main website lists 3 tests that they do:

 Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID Now)

Diagnostic lab (PCR)

Rapid Antigen Test (BinaxNow)

 

So they do offer PCR and Antigen depending on the location but also a third one that is neither. 

[Reijo]

7 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

I've only gotten tested at Walgreen's, but the main website lists 3 tests that they do:

 Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID Now)

Diagnostic lab (PCR)

Rapid Antigen Test (BinaxNow)

 

So they do offer PCR and Antigen depending on the location but also a third one that is neither. 

I've read that Celebrity doesn't accept the IDNow Rapid Test.  I have no clue what the BinaxNow is....that's ANOTHER new one.  My instructions from Celebrity says PCR or Antigen, if you ask for an Antigen Test, does the provider know what you're talking about?  From what I've read, it varies and you could end up getting the wrong one.

[hcat]

Re post no 109 by Sanger

Are those offered  by  branches in Fla?

Do they accept  Medicare or insurance?

Private pay cost?

Edited August 3, 2021 by hcat

[Jim_Iain]

17 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

I've only gotten tested at Walgreen's, but the main website lists 3 tests that they do:

 Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID Now)

Diagnostic lab (PCR)

Rapid Antigen Test (BinaxNow)

 

So they do offer PCR and Antigen depending on the location but also a third one that is neither. 

The BinaxNow is a home self test that you do at home.   It does not go to a lab and is  not accepted   per Celebrity FAQ.

[Turtles06]

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

The BinaxNow is a home self test that you do at home.   It does not go to a lab and is  not accepted   per Celebrity FAQ.

The FAQ definitely say that “results from home testing kits are not accepted.”  But it doesn’t identify any particular named tests as unacceptable, it just mandates PCR or rapid antigen.  Comments above say that Walgreens’ rapid antigen test is BinaxNow.  And someone in another thread linked to a testing facility  you can go to in a number of locations in Florida that is using BinaxNow for the rapid antigen test:
 

https://fasttestnow.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw0qOIBhBhEiwAyvVcf-fo1LkP4BdyYoJ-jjWreYsE_utBNDSZxrbTHTQk_so3f0Kdejh1OBoCXekQAvD_BwE

 

It’s not clear from Celebrity’s website why BinaxNow performed NOT at home but by a third party, like Walgreens, would not be acceptable. 
 

 

[markeb]

16 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

The BinaxNow is a home self test that you do at home.   It does not go to a lab and is  not accepted   per Celebrity FAQ.

 

Yeah. This is part of the confusion, including mine!

 

BinaxNow is a home antigen test. It could easily be a pharmacy test, or a clinical lab test, but it isn't marketed that way.

 

It looks like most of the pharmacies have gone the BinaxNow route for antigen testing. Which adds to the complication of getting a rapid test for a cruise. If BinaxNow is the test methodology, not performed at home, I would suspect it would be an acceptable antigen test, but again, the various terms used on different parts of Celebrity's web pages make that only a "suspect".

[UnorigionalName]

16 hours ago, markeb said:

 

I really would never advocate this, but I honestly think it’s time to flood X by phone, email, social media, etc, to make them answer if they’ll accept the IDNow. Because I’m getting tired of trying to explain this, and cangelmd is on Equinox and hopefully enjoying her cruise! This isn’t rocket science with clear guidance (a downloadable info paper, for instance) and understandable language. 

 

Why doesn't everyone just go the safe route and get a RT-PCR test? that's what clearly is stated to be accepted.

 

I mean, who even knows if their specialist consultants, their people making the rules, and their people enforcing the rules even are on the same page about testing.  There's several reasons why some tests would or would not be accepted, and why bother trying to get an answer from one group that may be changed last second.  

 

It seems strange that they would allow PCR and some antigen testing and not isothermal amplification, but who knows.

 

For the antigen testing, I can see them not wanting to use the rapid antigen tests if they were actually concerned about detecting asymptomatic people with COVID, since the performance is quite bad, but it's not like a lot of people are using lab based ELISA antigen testing, so if that was the reason I am not sure why they would even included it as an option.

 

It might be more that by denying home testing what they don't want is people showing up to port with symptoms and a negative test that they threw water in to have it be negative.

 

[katrina915]

This may be a stupid question, but what do they mean by within 72 hours of embarkation? Is that my check in time?

 

So if I have a check in time of noon in Seattle on Friday, the earliest that I can get the test is 3pm EST on Tuesday, right?

Edited August 3, 2021 by katrina915

[blueboro]

21 minutes ago, UnorigionalName said:

 

Why doesn't everyone just go the safe route and get a RT-PCR test? that's what clearly is stated to be accepted.

 

I mean, who even knows if their specialist consultants, their people making the rules, and their people enforcing the rules even are on the same page about testing.  There's several reasons why some tests would or would not be accepted, and why bother trying to get an answer from one group that may be changed last second.  

 

It seems strange that they would allow PCR and some antigen testing and not isothermal amplification, but who knows.

 

For the antigen testing, I can see them not wanting to use the rapid antigen tests if they were actually concerned about detecting asymptomatic people with COVID, since the performance is quite bad, but it's not like a lot of people are using lab based ELISA antigen testing, so if that was the reason I am not sure why they would even included it as an option.

 

It might be more that by denying home testing what they don't want is people showing up to port with symptoms and a negative test that they threw water in to have it be negative.

 

From what I am seeing the PCR test is a 24-48 hour wait and based on getting it before flying out a day or two before cruise makes it not within the 72 hour period.

[hcat]

5 minutes ago, blueboro said:

From what I am seeing the PCR test is a 24-48 hour wait and based on getting it before flying out a day or two before cruise makes it not within the 72 hour period.

That's a best case scenario for results.

We had it take  longer ...and that was a text that it was neg..  actual lab result paper work was longer. 

 

Glad folks preceding us will be able to share.. hope they do so.   We have time b4 final payment and are  also looking at options we might be able to switch to with our fcc

[Ken the cruiser]

20 minutes ago, katrina915 said:

This may be a stupid question, but what do they mean by within 72 hours of embarkation? Is that my check in time?

 

So if I have a check in time of noon in Seattle on Friday, the earliest that I can get the test is 3pm EST on Tuesday, right?

That's how we're interpreting the 72 hours prior to embarkation rule. We're scheduled to check-in on the Edge between 12-12:30 EDT Saturday. We're planning on getting our antigen tests on Wednesday at 4 pm CDT (5 pm EDT) which should be well within the 72 hours prior to embarkation.  

[Fouremco]

37 minutes ago, katrina915 said:

This may be a stupid question, but what do they mean by within 72 hours of embarkation? Is that my check in time?

 

So if I have a check in time of noon in Seattle on Friday, the earliest that I can get the test is 3pm EST on Tuesday, right?

Until such time as Celebrity clarifies the issue, if you use the departure time and work back 72 hours, you'll safely cover all possibilities.

[curtsfan]

On 8/1/2021 at 6:06 PM, mgmigs said:

Has anyone found a place that does antigen tests? Most CVS and Walgreens do not have antigen….. the rapid they offer is “naat”

I just got a rapid antigen test at CVS.  We are in Massachusetts.

[curtsfan]

On 8/1/2021 at 6:21 PM, 3red7s said:

Why not call them for verification.  I literally just booked ours this afternoon on the CVS MYCHART & the selection was marked " Rapid Result Test-Antigen"  we are in Cleveland OH 

I actually called Celebrity & was told they would accept the rapid result test-antigen from CVS.  Thsts where I’m going.  The problem with the Naat test is that there is no guarantee that you will get the results in 1 or 2 days. 

[Fouremco]

1 hour ago, markeb said:

 

Yeah. This is part of the confusion, including mine!

 

BinaxNow is a home antigen test. It could easily be a pharmacy test, or a clinical lab test, but it isn't marketed that way.

 

It looks like most of the pharmacies have gone the BinaxNow route for antigen testing. Which adds to the complication of getting a rapid test for a cruise. If BinaxNow is the test methodology, not performed at home, I would suspect it would be an acceptable antigen test, but again, the various terms used on different parts of Celebrity's web pages make that only a "suspect".

On the issue of what tests are what, can you clarify an issue for me? The testing facility at FLL offers the following:

 

Q: What types of COVID-19 tests does Nomi Health offer? 
A: Three types of tests are offered: Rapid Antigen, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Rapid PCR 

 

Is a "Rapid PCR" the same as a PCR test, but you pay more for the quicker turnaround time, or is there an actual difference in the testing methodology?

 

TIA

 

[TexSea]

55 minutes ago, katrina915 said:

This may be a stupid question, but what do they mean by within 72 hours of embarkation? Is that my check in time?

 

So if I have a check in time of noon in Seattle on Friday, the earliest that I can get the test is 3pm EST on Tuesday, right?

This document linked from the Healthy at Sea page is a little more specific regarding the 72 hour time frame: 
 
Must present a negative RT-PCR or Antigent test taken 72 hrs. prior to arrival at the terminal for sailings departing August 6, 2021 through September 6, 2021. [sic]
 
https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/celebrity-healthy-at-sea-protocols.pdf

[curtsfan]

On 8/1/2021 at 9:05 PM, markeb said:

 

The only rapid test I'm concerned about is the IDNow as it's "none of the above". And Celebrity specified rapid antigen OR PCR. And my fear is that if you call, you're going to get that same answer from someone who doesn't know there's at least one third test type out there, and can't answer whether it's acceptable.

 

From what Celebrity has sent out so far, as of 9:00 pm EDT August 1st, and subject to change, a rapid antigen test is fine (and probably the easiest test to get in time, in most cases).

 

I believe posters have stated NCL has an agreement with one or more pharmacies to conduct tests and transmit results. At least if the pharmacy is conducting a test they've agree to perform for NCL, there should be no question about it being an acceptable test!

I called Celebrity & was told that the rapid antigen test was acceptable.