handbellplayer Posted November 4, 2021 #1 Share Posted November 4, 2021 We are on Harmony OTS departing 1/16. I noticed that my local Walgreens has the BinaxNOW tests expiring in March. If you were me, would you purchase a couple now as a fall back in case we have issues with finding a test prior to the cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktwothousand Posted November 4, 2021 #2 Share Posted November 4, 2021 6 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: We are on Harmony OTS departing 1/16. I noticed that my local Walgreens has the BinaxNOW tests expiring in March. If you were me, would you purchase a couple now as a fall back in case we have issues with finding a test prior to the cruise? Absolutely buy now, but you will need the navica app or some other way to sign off on the tests being valid. Simple at-home rapid testing won’t Suffice without proof of result Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted November 4, 2021 Author #3 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Just now, marktwothousand said: Absolutely buy now, but you will need the navica app or some other way to sign off on the tests being valid. Simple at-home rapid testing won’t Suffice without proof of result I need to look more closely to make certain that they're the monitored tests and not the self-tests. They may be self-tests and I know they're not sufficient. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktwothousand Posted November 4, 2021 #4 Share Posted November 4, 2021 7 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: I need to look more closely to make certain that they're the monitored tests and not the self-tests. They may be self-tests and I know they're not sufficient. The binaxNOWs are a bit of a grey area. The tests are verified by the navica app but you need to login through emed if you want a monitored test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine3601 Posted November 4, 2021 #5 Share Posted November 4, 2021 17 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: I need to look more closely to make certain that they're the monitored tests and not the self-tests. They may be self-tests and I know they're not sufficient. what you see on shelf at walgreens is most likely not the proctored test kit. does it look like this one: this is the correct kit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted November 4, 2021 #6 Share Posted November 4, 2021 I wouldn't buy a home test until a few weeks before the cruise until you can be guaranteed that they're the new lot of tests just now hitting the market. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crzndeb Posted November 4, 2021 #7 Share Posted November 4, 2021 (edited) They really need to make a Sticky on some of the important questions that are asked daily on the cruise threads. But, then again, how many read the Sticky’s. LOL As mentioned, the only acceptable proctored tests can only be ordered online from Optum or Emed. You can’t buy them at any drugstore, Sam’s Club, or any other place, at this time. Edited November 4, 2021 by crzndeb 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 4, 2021 #8 Share Posted November 4, 2021 44 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: We are on Harmony OTS departing 1/16. I noticed that my local Walgreens has the BinaxNOW tests expiring in March. If you were me, would you purchase a couple now as a fall back in case we have issues with finding a test prior to the cruise? Whether you buy them now or buy them later I can’t give advice on that’s a personal preference, but one thing is for sure, if they’re on sale at your local drugstore they are the wrong test 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktwothousand Posted November 4, 2021 #9 Share Posted November 4, 2021 I’m putting this to bed for good with info from royal’s webpage specifically for the binax. They are accepted if supervised. Buy the tests ASAP. you never know when there’s gonna be a run on ‘em. Source: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Test, which is taken at home and supervised by a telemedicine professional, is accepted. It must be taken under live video supervision. Learn more about our Abbott telehealth home test kit. The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, if taken at home and not supervised by a telehealth representative, is NOT accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 4, 2021 #10 Share Posted November 4, 2021 52 minutes ago, marktwothousand said: I’m putting this to bed for good with info from royal’s webpage specifically for the binax. They are accepted if supervised. Buy the tests ASAP. you never know when there’s gonna be a run on ‘em. Source: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Test, which is taken at home and supervised by a telemedicine professional, is accepted. It must be taken under live video supervision. Learn more about our Abbott telehealth home test kit. The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, if taken at home and not supervised by a telehealth representative, is NOT accepted. “I’m putting this to bed for good”. That’s a good one 🤪 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted November 4, 2021 Author #11 Share Posted November 4, 2021 1 hour ago, crzndeb said: They really need to make a Sticky on some of the important questions that are asked daily on the cruise threads. But, then again, how many read the Sticky’s. LOL As mentioned, the only acceptable proctored tests can only be ordered online from Optum or Emed. You can’t buy them at any drugstore, Sam’s Club, or any other place, at this time. 57 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said: Whether you buy them now or buy them later I can’t give advice on that’s a personal preference, but one thing is for sure, if they’re on sale at your local drugstore they are the wrong test 48 minutes ago, marktwothousand said: I’m putting this to bed for good with info from royal’s webpage specifically for the binax. They are accepted if supervised. Buy the tests ASAP. you never know when there’s gonna be a run on ‘em. Source: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Test, which is taken at home and supervised by a telemedicine professional, is accepted. It must be taken under live video supervision. Learn more about our Abbott telehealth home test kit. The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, if taken at home and not supervised by a telehealth representative, is NOT accepted. Sorry if I asked a question that's been asked many times....I should have done a search.....many apologies! (My excuse is that I'm SO nervous about being able to get tested pre-cruise.) I just hope the RCCL site will sell tests that expire later than mid-December. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 4, 2021 #12 Share Posted November 4, 2021 3 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: Sorry if I asked a question that's been asked many times....I should have done a search.....many apologies! (My excuse is that I'm SO nervous about being able to get tested pre-cruise.) I just hope the RCCL site will sell tests that expire later than mid-December. Test manufacturing is ongoing. I got some from E-Med that expire on February 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktwothousand Posted November 4, 2021 #13 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Jaaaaayzusss chrooooist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted November 4, 2021 Author #14 Share Posted November 4, 2021 7 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said: Test manufacturing is ongoing. I got some from E-Med that expire on February When I go to their site, it says: "Currently available test kits may expire as early as December 17, 2021. Please allow up to three business days for delivery. Ships via expedited service within the U.S. only. May not be purchased with other items." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted November 4, 2021 Author #15 Share Posted November 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, marktwothousand said: Jaaaaayzusss chrooooist So sorry to annoy you so. I'm outta here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktwothousand Posted November 4, 2021 #16 Share Posted November 4, 2021 4 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: So sorry to annoy you so. I'm outta here. Haha. I am just commiserating with you over all the complications… not complaining atall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 4, 2021 #17 Share Posted November 4, 2021 57 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: When I go to their site, it says: "Currently available test kits may expire as early as December 17, 2021. Please allow up to three business days for delivery. Ships via expedited service within the U.S. only. May not be purchased with other items." “As early as”, not “no later than“ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted November 5, 2021 Author #18 Share Posted November 5, 2021 30 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said: “As early as”, not “no later than“ So you bought them with this warning and they expired in February? 1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said: Test manufacturing is ongoing. I got some from E-Med that expire on February Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 5, 2021 #19 Share Posted November 5, 2021 1 minute ago, handbellplayer said: So you bought them with this warning and they expired in February? With the automatic extension of expiration date, yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingerwoppy Posted November 5, 2021 #20 Share Posted November 5, 2021 3 hours ago, smokeybandit said: I wouldn't buy a home test until a few weeks before the cruise until you can be guaranteed that they're the new lot of tests just now hitting the market. I tried the link on the RCI website and it said the tests could expire as early as 12/15/21 and our cruise isn't until 1/23/22 so we will wait a while longer before purchasing tests. We have a local place that does rapid tests so we're hoping to use them if necessary but they don't publish their cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingos Posted November 5, 2021 #21 Share Posted November 5, 2021 So the ones I bought, to use for the last cruise and hopefully the next, will expire on January 5 - too soon. Are they useless to me for a January 9 cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen haywood Posted November 5, 2021 #22 Share Posted November 5, 2021 That’s my understanding. I bought tests for a November cruise. Ours expire (with extended expiration date) on January 3,2022z. Our next cruise is several days later. I emailed eMed and they said to check their website frequently as the CDC may extend the expiration date again. And they are making more tests…quickly I hope. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingos Posted November 5, 2021 #23 Share Posted November 5, 2021 35 minutes ago, helen haywood said: That’s my understanding. I bought tests for a November cruise. Ours expire (with extended expiration date) on January 3,2022z. Our next cruise is several days later. I emailed eMed and they said to check their website frequently as the CDC may extend the expiration date again. And they are making more tests…quickly I hope. Thanks. If you hear anything, post it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ustasmom Posted November 5, 2021 #24 Share Posted November 5, 2021 I bought 3 tests from OptumRx. They came expired and in the three month extension window. So now they are just useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinCruise Posted November 5, 2021 #25 Share Posted November 5, 2021 The Royal site says to purchase these online 1 week before you cruise. Make it 3 weeks to be safe and I don't see there would be a problem. Since the expiration dates are getting newer they are clearly manufacturing more. As always, have a backup plan. There are lots of places now that do same day covid testing. Costs more, but as a backup plan it's good to know where they are located. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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