retired rascal Posted November 26, 2021 #1 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Starting January 17, NCL will no longer provide tests. They will require antigen or PCR within TWO DAYS of embarkation. This is a problem for those cruisers who will be en route to the departure port during those two days. Does anyone have a suggestion re how to handle this?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted November 26, 2021 #2 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Do the home test. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 26, 2021 #3 Share Posted November 26, 2021 This link was provided (within the text ) on our letter from NCL: for cruises AFTER Jan 16, 2021. https://testfortravel.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 26, 2021 #4 Share Posted November 26, 2021 https://www.globalpointofcare.abbott/en/product-details/binaxnow-covid-19-home-test-us.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmichigan cruiser Posted November 26, 2021 #5 Share Posted November 26, 2021 34 minutes ago, retired rascal said: Starting January 17, NCL will no longer provide tests. They will require antigen or PCR within TWO DAYS of embarkation. This is a problem for those cruisers who will be en route to the departure port during those two days. Does anyone have a suggestion re how to handle this?? If you go on the NCL.Com website and you go to the Safety with Ultimate Freedom section and you go to FAQ's you can find where it says if you can't get the test done before hand you can get it done at the pier but now it will cost $99 per person. Hope this helps it was my concern as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 26, 2021 #6 Share Posted November 26, 2021 22 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said: https://www.globalpointofcare.abbott/en/product-details/binaxnow-covid-19-home-test-us.html Is this the one where you basically have a telehealth appointment and it is considered the same as a test administered at a drug store, etc? It's ironic that they call it a "home" test when you can do it anywhere with internet access. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 27, 2021 #7 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Just now, ChiefMateJRK said: Is this the one where you basically have a telehealth appointment and it is considered the same as a test administered at a drug store, etc? It's ironic that they call it a "home" test when you can do it anywhere with internet access. So far, we've only done non-proctored Binax kits. YES, is the answer to your question, though! (I agree about "home"!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted November 27, 2021 #8 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Is/will NCL accept the home test? I called a couple weeks ago and was told, at that time the home test were not approved for NCL. Things could have changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted November 27, 2021 #9 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Wow, just checked out testfortravel.com. The test prices run $139.00 to $159.00 😞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sand and Seas Posted November 27, 2021 #10 Share Posted November 27, 2021 28 minutes ago, debnjoe1438 said: Wow, just checked out testfortravel.com. The test prices run $139.00 to $159.00 😞 That makes the $99 at the pier sound good. Do an inexpensive (non-proctored) home test so you feel good about flying out. Then the 'cheaper?' test at pier🤔 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 27, 2021 #11 Share Posted November 27, 2021 9 hours ago, debnjoe1438 said: Is/will NCL accept the home test? I called a couple weeks ago and was told, at that time the home test were not approved for NCL. Things could have changed. In theory, the key to the test is using the "proctored" test. If your test kit does not come with instructions/phone number for your process to be monitored by a telehealth individual, then it will not suffice for use at the pier! If the test does give you results with your complete information (name, date of test, etc.) emailed/texted to your phone, it "should" be okay. The BEST answer is to check on the NCL website within 21 days of your embarkation date for further information from NCL. They will send an email that has imbedded links that are helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarnCat1 Posted November 27, 2021 #12 Share Posted November 27, 2021 These are cheaper and were posted somewhere on another thread and are the proctored tests. https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 27, 2021 #13 Share Posted November 27, 2021 5 minutes ago, BarnCat1 said: These are cheaper and were posted somewhere on another thread and are the proctored tests. https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack/ 👍👍 That is our plan for now... However, we have more than a month before our cruise. Therefore, we'll wait for our 21-day-prior-email to triple-check the requirements at that time! (Things seem to be constantly changing.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GonzoWCS Posted November 27, 2021 #14 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Following this thread thanks for the information Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastcat Posted November 27, 2021 #15 Share Posted November 27, 2021 6 hours ago, ggTexasGal said: In theory, the key to the test is using the "proctored" test. If your test kit does not come with instructions/phone number for your process to be monitored by a telehealth individual, then it will not suffice for use at the pier! If the test does give you results with your complete information (name, date of test, etc.) emailed/texted to your phone, it "should" be okay. The BEST answer is to check on the NCL website within 21 days of your embarkation date for further information from NCL. They will send an email that has imbedded links that are helpful. Definitely keep that in mind! A home test that includes video proctoring for sample collection is acceptable. A home test that you take entirely on your own is not. BinaxNOW Ag Card Home Test (purchased through eMed or Optum) is acceptable. BinaxNOW self test (purchased elsewhere) is not. The kits are essentially identical (I've used both), with the only difference being that the Ag Card Home Test includes video proctoring for both the nasal swab and the results confirmation. It's definitely more comfortable to do the antigen test at home (with a nice warm cup of tea to pass the time while waiting for results) than to wait in various lines and then stare impatiently at your phone waiting for the text message. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian V Posted November 27, 2021 #16 Share Posted November 27, 2021 (edited) We are booked on the Joy in February - not worried about getting on the ship as we will get tested at our local pharmacy for our flights ($35.00 and results in 15 minutes) on Thursday, fly to Miami on the Friday, board on Saturday. My only question would be for the return - as we are Canadian we require a PCR test for return home. These cost us $200.00 x 2 in Seattle when we returned from Alaska as we stayed a few days and could not take advantage of the free test NCL was offering 😞 Does anyone know if Norwegian will still be offering departure tests for those who require it for the trip home? I sure hope so as our flight back leaves the afternoon of our return to Miami and I don't want to try and arrange testing on my own in Miami😬 Will have to ask when I call for repricing 35% off plus $250 OBC? Yes please! Edited November 27, 2021 by Brian V Typo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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