IDNOW Covid test: To answer this question…

[Tapi]

Hi!

 

We just returned from the Meraviglia this morning. Before we sailed, a question in my mind (and in the mind of others) was if IDNOW Covid (rapid NAAT) tests from Walgreens would be accepted, so I want to share our experience:

 

For this cruise, we first did PCR tests from CVS, but we were fearful that our tests wouldn’t be back in time so we also took IDNOW (rapid NAAT) tests from Walgreens as a backup . Long story short, we got both results back in time for the cruise. We got the IDNOW results in an hour. PCR tests took a little over 24 hours. 

 

Upon embarkation, I showed the IDNOW results first on purpose to see if they would accept them. I didn’t even mention that I had PCR test results as well. The IDNOW results were accepted without a single question, and they were verified twice (first upon entering the terminal and then at the actual check in counter). I never showed or even mentioned the PCR Test results that I also had with me. 

 

I should note that the agents specifically said that they needed to see our “PCR test results”, but they never questioned a thing when I provided NAAT results. 
 

As a side note, if traveling with unvaccinated children under 12, MSC will take another antigen test at check in. It wasn’t a big deal, but my 11 year old son almost blew a gasket at the terminal when he found out that he’d have a stick up his nose for the third time in one week. Turned out to be a non-issue and it was a very gentle test, but just go prepared and let your kids know, specially if they’re like mine who do better if they know in advance what to expect, rather than to be surprised at the last minute. 😂. 
 

 

 

[mimi7ccr]

TAPI:  Thank you for that info about the Walgreen's I-NOW rapid NAAT test.  That is our backup.  Wonderful to know it was accepted without question and you got hour results so soon.

 

[waterbabyfish]

Thank you, that was my concern on the other test, they say 1-2 days and you got yours in 24 hrs...will probably book both just in case. Did you get tested in Florida? I'm located near tampa.

[PyrHeaven]

Oh great. A second test at the terminal still. I have a 6 month old, 4 year old, and 10 year old. I was hoping the terminal test was out the window! Thanks for the heads up.

[Tapi]

22 hours ago, waterbabyfish said:

Thank you, that was my concern on the other test, they say 1-2 days and you got yours in 24 hrs...will probably book both just in case. Did you get tested in Florida? I'm located near tampa.

No. We live in Georgia in the Atlanta area, so we had our tests performed locally before we departed at both CVS and Walgreens. Both free of charge, but CVS required my health insurance information for the PCR test, but Walgreens didn't ask for it for the IDNOW test. 

 

The trick is getting an appointment. CVS has appointments available two weeks out, but Walgreens doesn't open their appointments until 3 days prior. I had to make the Walgreens appointments right at midnight when they posted, otherwise they'd be gone by morning. 

[Tapi]

15 hours ago, PyrHeaven said:

Oh great. A second test at the terminal still. I have a 6 month old, 4 year old, and 10 year old. I was hoping the terminal test was out the window! Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I wish I would've known in advance just to prepare the kids mentally for it. My daughter is pretty happy go luck so she didn't care. But my son is type A and he likes to know what to expect in advance so he wasn't too thrilled about the surprise test.

 

The extra test was time consuming, but not horrible. We were directed to a separate screening area upon entering the terminal and the tests were administered (as mentioned before, it was a gentle test and it was over quickly). We were provided with numbered stickers to put on our shirts and then we proceeded to a waiting area matching the number on the sticker. We waited for about 20-30 minutes for the results and then an agent came and got us once the results were in. We were then escorted to the general check in area (that part took FoReVeeeeeeR!). 

 

Have some patience. It took about 1 hour and half to 2 hours for the entire process. 

[waterbabyfish]

48 minutes ago, Tapi said:

No. We live in Georgia in the Atlanta area, so we had our tests performed locally before we departed at both CVS and Walgreens. Both free of charge, but CVS required my health insurance information for the PCR test, but Walgreens didn't ask for it for the IDNOW test. 

 

The trick is getting an appointment. CVS has appointments available two weeks out, but Walgreens doesn't open their appointments until 3 days prior. I had to make the Walgreens appointments right at midnight when they posted, otherwise they'd be gone by morning. 

Thank you that's good to know about walgreens,,there is one about 15 miles away that does the rapid test.

[slk1000]

On 9/8/2021 at 3:07 PM, Tapi said:

No. We live in Georgia in the Atlanta area, so we had our tests performed locally before we departed at both CVS and Walgreens. Both free of charge, but CVS required my health insurance information for the PCR test, but Walgreens didn't ask for it for the IDNOW test. 

 

The trick is getting an appointment. CVS has appointments available two weeks out, but Walgreens doesn't open their appointments until 3 days prior. I had to make the Walgreens appointments right at midnight when they posted, otherwise they'd be gone by morning. 

Just to confirm the Walgreens test was acceptable for the kids because it's a NAAT test.? Thanks for the tip regarding scheduling at midnight!

[Tapi]

8 hours ago, slk1000 said:

Just to confirm the Walgreens test was acceptable for the kids because it's a NAAT test.? Thanks for the tip regarding scheduling at midnight!

Yes. According to the MSC website, unvaccinated children under 12 are required to have either a PCR or an NAAT test. The IDNOW test provided by Walgreens is an NAAT test and it’s noted as such on the results page (look for the link to the PDF file) that they email you. 
 

That’s the page that I showed at embarkation in Miami and it was accepted without a question. 😀

[slk1000]

18 hours ago, Tapi said:

Yes. According to the MSC website, unvaccinated children under 12 are required to have either a PCR or an NAAT test. The IDNOW test provided by Walgreens is an NAAT test and it’s noted as such on the results page (look for the link to the PDF file) that they email you. 
 

That’s the page that I showed at embarkation in Miami and it was accepted without a question. 😀

Great! Thank you so much:)

[Waltk]

We are planning to get rapid PCR tests from Mednow Urgent Care since we can get results in 15 minutes.  Did this before when I had symptoms a few months ago, was negative then, whew.  Is rapid PCR the same as the PCR that you have to wait for?  Will MSC accept it?

[qroozr]

 

3 hours ago, Waltk said:

We are planning to get rapid PCR tests from Mednow Urgent Care since we can get results in 15 minutes.  Did this before when I had symptoms a few months ago, was negative then, whew.  Is rapid PCR the same as the PCR that you have to wait for?  Will MSC accept it?

 

We have the eMed Covid at home/at hotel test for us before cruise in 2 weeks. easy-peasy

[publicpersona]

15 minutes ago, qroozr said:

We have the eMed Covid at home/at hotel test for us before cruise in 2 weeks. easy-peasy

 

I would recommend having a backup kit in case one results in an invalid test result (it can happen), or the reagent bottle is empty (that happened to us). I *think* the spare can be the unmonitored version if you’d already paid for a test session. In the least, have a plan B.