TC FLA

38 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Is no one planning on using the supervised home tests ? To me that seems so much easier.

Based on Royal's site, you have to test "with an accredited test provider, such as a drugstore or diagnostic lab" so I am not taking any chances.

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

I will also be on this cruise.  My experience with Walgreens was just about a 24 hour turnaround time for test results. We had 2 people testing at two different Walgreens, one had results before 24 hours and one came a few hours after. Walgreens billed my insurance, and they covered it even though it was a travel test. If you don't have insurance they send it through a government program so there's no charge.

I have already scoped out what locations do the quick tests in the area (Walgreens by me does NAAT and CVS does the rapid) and I have my calendar marked to schedule as soon as the availability opens for the dates I need. I will probably make a couple appointments just in case.

There's also the BinaxNOW Ag home test you can order online which is a rapid test you take proctored over a Zoom call. Royal does accept that as well and that's an idea if you absolutely can't find a test.

I think if you get the PCR locally but schedule an antigen that you may have to drive a little for as a backup or maybe even an appointment on your route as a failsafe, you should be fine.

Thank you for the suggestions. I am totally ok with driving to another county to get it because I believe Duval is a hotspot right now. Scheduling a backup is a great idea.

I've had so many friends shocked we are going on this cruise but I feel confident with the measures RCCL has in place.

Thanks so much Ashley!

I am in Jacksonville and searching CVS and Walgreens shows no rapid tests available. It's too early to schedule one for September 2, but currently up until August 28 it shows no availability. 

We are taking Allure of the Seas out of Port Canaveral on September 5. We have to have proof of a negative COVID test within three days of embarking. This means the earliest we can test is Thursday September 2. Finding a rapid test in Florida is almost impossible unless we pay almost $150 each thru a private clinic. 

I think if we do the PCR test, which is much easier to schedule and has far more availability, we will get our results in time for Sunday. My concern is with it being so close to the weekend and I don't know of the labs email or text results on Saturdays or Sundays.

Can anyone share some insight on this or let me know what your experiences have been with turnaround times on PCR test results. Thank you!