Antigen tests

[mauimary]

We booked a few days ago a cruise out of LA to Mexico.  We understand we need Covid tests in addition to our vaccination certificates.  
 

Question. Can we purchase antigen test kits from RCCL to be used before we leave home. For us the pharmacies are just to iffy on getting results back in time. 
 

We understand we need tests to get back into the USA. Does the cruise line do these?  Everyone on the entire ship coming back into LA will need a test.  We can find no information on any of this on RCCL website. 
 

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, mauimary said:

We understand we need tests to get back into the USA.

Not on round trip sailings.

[Tree_skier]

10 minutes ago, mauimary said:

We booked a few days ago a cruise out of LA to Mexico.  We understand we need Covid tests in addition to our vaccination certificates.  
 

Question. Can we purchase antigen test kits from RCCL to be used before we leave home. For us the pharmacies are just to iffy on getting results back in time. 
 

We understand we need tests to get back into the USA. Does the cruise line do these?  Everyone on the entire ship coming back into LA will need a test.  We can find no information on any of this on RCCL website. 
 

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

Yes purchase the kits from Royal...

 

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

 

You do not need a test upon returning to the US. 

[Coralc]

The LA cruises don't start until November. I don't know when you are booked, but don't buy a test until it is closer to the sailing. The protocols may change before your cruise. 

 

County health may also have documented rapid antigen tests that are available at no cost. CVS or Walgreens may provide documented tests at no charge. 

 

You don't need a test to sail back to LA or fly back to Oregon. That is only for international travelers. 

[De Colores]

2 hours ago, mauimary said:

We booked a few days ago a cruise out of LA to Mexico.  We understand we need Covid tests in addition to our vaccination certificates.  
 

Question. Can we purchase antigen test kits from RCCL to be used before we leave home. For us the pharmacies are just to iffy on getting results back in time. 
 

We understand we need tests to get back into the USA. Does the cruise line do these?  Everyone on the entire ship coming back into LA will need a test.  We can find no information on any of this on RCCL website. 
 

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

It’s what we are doing. $70 and no stress. 

[mauimary]

1 hour ago, De Colores said:

It’s what we are doing. $70 and no stress. 

That’s what we plan to do as well.  To even be able to find a test where we are is getting to be very hard to do.  We can’t count on even finding them at Walgreens or CVS. 

[Ashland]

LA to Mexico how many days prior to cruise departure does the test need to be done?

[mauimary]

If you do not count the day of departure that would be 72 hrs or three days (day of departure would be day3). From what we have seen it’s 48 hrs or two days.  Depart on Sunday test needs to be done on a Friday.  
 

We plan to test before we leave home and not from the hotel once we arrive departure port.  Just in case a test should turn up positive it’s much easier and better to deal with it at home. 

[SConnolly]

On 9/22/2021 at 11:20 PM, De Colores said:

It’s what we are doing. $70 and no stress. 

Have a back up, my first test came back invalid. Got a credit from supplier but would not have helped if cruising in 48 hours. 

[crewsweeper]

Word of possible caution on home tests.  Watch what you drink before taking the test.

 

10 Drinks That Can Lead to a False Positive COVID Test (msn.com)

[3eaglesfam]

10 hours ago, mauimary said:

If you do not count the day of departure that would be 72 hrs or three days (day of departure would be day3). From what we have seen it’s 48 hrs or two days.  Depart on Sunday test needs to be done on a Friday.  
 

We plan to test before we leave home and not from the hotel once we arrive departure port.  Just in case a test should turn up positive it’s much easier and better to deal with it at home. 

 

We bought the Binex now at home tests from optimum.  I can get tested at my drs office but the hubs does not do the rapid test.  Our CVS locations do not have the rapid tests.  I would have to drive 50 miles to get one.

 

As far as I have seen Royal is now says 2 days or 48 hours before sail day.  Not three. ( But kids between the ages of 2-11 can do it 3 days) 

It was changed a few weeks ago.  

 

This is from from the Royal website:

 

Required Testing for All Guests Sailing From U.S. Homeports

All Guests: Required Pre-Cruise Testing 

Before boarding day, you’ll need to take a COVID-19 test on your own, at your own expense.

• Vaccinated guests age 12 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day. 
• Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 3 days before boarding day. Kids’ pre-cruise test cannot be taken on boarding day, because that may affect the sample taken during the kids’ test at the terminal.
• Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test. 

Kids Age 2-11: Additional Complimentary Testing

In addition to the pre-cruise test, kids will take one or two more tests, depending on the length of the cruise. Royal Caribbean’s test provider will administer these, at no cost to our guests.

• On boarding day, kids will take a complimentary rapid PCR test during check-in at the terminal. We’ll send registration details via email before departure.
• For cruises that are 5 nights or longer, kids will take a complimentary antigen test onboard before the cruise ends. Vaccinated guests who require a COVID-19 test for re-entry into their country may receive one onboard as well. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.

Guests Under the Age of 2

Guests under the age of 2 have no testing requirements.

NOTE: Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements

Edited September 24, 2021 by 3eaglesfam
forgot something

[brillohead]

23 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Word of possible caution on home tests.  Watch what you drink before taking the test.

 

10 Drinks That Can Lead to a False Positive COVID Test (msn.com)

Unless you spill your drink on the test, no danger of creating a false positive just from having consumed the beverage.

 

[crewsweeper]

49 minutes ago, brillohead said:

Unless you spill your drink on the test, no danger of creating a false positive just from having consumed the beverage.

 

I'm hearing from others that the red line shows until the ink is dry then disappears.  If it was truely positive the red line would stay.  But be cautious and don't to panic.