Time frame for Covid Testing

[Melodyjn 88]

New protocols are calling for prior Covid testing 24 hrs to 5 days prior to boarding, 

What has been the time frame for the people who have been tested to get their results? I am seeing most places take 3 days to get results if you are lucky.

I foresee this being an issue if everyone in your party can not get results back in  time to set sail due to the labs being over loaded with test.

Please let me hear your input and ideas on this issue

 

[DunwoodyDad 66]

My family members (different folks) have had 4 tests done so far.  One from CVS took 5 days to get back but that was a few months ago and was done on a Thursday so I assume that impacted turnaround. The other 3 were all rapid tests and were returned within 25 minutes. For that, the key is to search for rapid Covid tests. However, in all of these cases, there was a reason to get tested because the person felt bad and saw someone in a clinic first for a few minutes.  I’m not sure how easy it is/will be to get a rapid test because you are going on a cruise. 

[Melodyjn 88]

3 minutes ago, DunwoodyDad said:

 I’m not sure how easy it is/will be to get a rapid test because you are going on a cruise.

This is the part that scares me lol

[JLMoran 6,960]

My daughter and her roommate both got Covid tests just a few weeks ago after finding out they were exposed to someone who had it. Only took 24-48 hours to get the results; shorter one was a nasal swab test, longer one a spit test.

[Melodyjn 88]

5 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

they were exposed to someone who had it.

This is the issue I am finding, if you're not sick or haven't been in contact with someone who was sick, if you just need a test for say a ..."cruise" they don't do rapid testing or even let you schedule an appointment

[cruisellama 752]

38 minutes ago, Melodyjn said:

New protocols are calling for prior Covid testing 24 hrs to 5 days prior to boarding, 

What has been the time frame for the people who have been tested to get their results? I am seeing most places take 3 days to get results if you are lucky.

I foresee this being an issue if everyone in your party can not get results back in  time to set sail due to the labs being over loaded with test.

Please let me hear your input and ideas on this issue

 

Had the same question.  Most places do not provide results within that window - some can.   The faster tests tend to go to  the symptomatic cases.

[Melodyjn 88]

I called CVS, they wont even let me make an appointment if not sick, I called MDNow, she told me their results takes 5 to 7 days.. She told me she herself was trying to find a rapid test and could not find any anywhere with results less then 5 days.

[Melodyjn 88]

13 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

The faster tests tend to go to  the symptomatic cases.

YES! After MANY phone calls that is EXACTLY the situation! 

[KristiZ 869]

I just moved from Tokyo to Managua. Part of the protocol involved a COVID test. In the major airline hub cities (and in some cases actually in the airport) you can get a RT-PCR test with a less than 12 hour turn around. Newark had facilities for this, for sure, and we actually tested at the lab recommended by Avianca in Miami, about 20 minutes from the airport. 
Cost was $189 per person and all you have to say to get an appointment is that you’re “traveling”.  There was also a choice of lab that took 24 hours to return results but only cost about $90. 
So long as cruises are leaving from large cities like that, it shouldn’t be a problem. 
 

[SpeedNoodles 4,647]

Here in the Twin Cities (at least the South Metro) we've been getting test results back in about 24 hours. Some people have been symptomatic, others have just been exposed to someone COVID positive.

 

[Lovetocruise2002 11,180]

Here in Ontario, turnaround is about 48 hours.

[CruisinForABruisin 396]

34 minutes ago, KristiZ said:

I just moved from Tokyo to Managua. Part of the protocol involved a COVID test. In the major airline hub cities (and in some cases actually in the airport) you can get a RT-PCR test with a less than 12 hour turn around. Newark had facilities for this, for sure, and we actually tested at the lab recommended by Avianca in Miami, about 20 minutes from the airport. 
Cost was $189 per person and all you have to say to get an appointment is that you’re “traveling”.  There was also a choice of lab that took 24 hours to return results but only cost about $90. 
So long as cruises are leaving from large cities like that, it shouldn’t be a problem. 
 

Fantastic, now we can decide between the beverage package, and dropping $400 on 2 covid tests

[cruisellama 752]

At least there are options.  Will need to check our airport (DFW).

[cruisellama 752]

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-getcoronavirus-test-travel/

 

Here's a link that will give you a "warm fuzzy" - NOT

[KJones 114]

1 hour ago, Melodyjn said:

This is the issue I am finding, if you're not sick or haven't been in contact with someone who was sick, if you just need a test for say a ..."cruise" they don't do rapid testing or even let you schedule an appointment

This could vary by local transmission/ testing capability factors. I had planned a road trip (completely voluntary, non-essential travel) from CA to Seattle and requested a test through my doctor (Kaiser insurance) as a precaution prior to staying with friends/family. Kaiser had no hesitations about getting me tested even though I didn't knowingly have contact with anyone who had tested positive and didn't think I would have it.
They had me take the test 10 days before my scheduled departure, since it's been a toss up whether it takes 1 week+ for results or a quick turnaround. I got my results in just under 2 days. Which ended up not being needed after all because everything's was on fire and I cancelled the trip... so I'll probably take another test once it's rescheduled.

[Melodyjn 88]

8 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

Here's a link that will give you a "warm fuzzy" - NOT

Royal is going to have to come up with some sort of plan here or a lot of people won't be cruising, not for the lack of not wanting too but not being able to get tested.

[Melodyjn 88]

22 minutes ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

Fantastic, now we can decide between the beverage package, and dropping $400 on 2 covid tests

This is Definitely a choice we shouldn't have to make! 

[Neesa 912]

Rut Row....I called all over and received several different responses, but all with the same outcome, no exposure? No symptoms? Fat chance you are getting a rapid response test, would not even allow me to make the appointment. And understandable, I actually felt bad explaining it would be for a cruise. (Pretty much felt berated, like are you CRAZY??) I refuse to fake exposure or symptoms to test, that is super bad karma, yikes!

[CruisinForABruisin 396]

3 minutes ago, crisgold52 said:

In canada testing is free thanks to socialized health care.

Here in America, I get to pay $300/month, and it doesn't cover a damn thing. 

[cruisellama 752]

10 minutes ago, crisgold52 said:

In canada testing is free thanks to socialized health care.

Actually free here too at drive through sites, but not necessary rapid.

[Melodyjn 88]

8 minutes ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

Here in America, I get to pay $300/month, and it doesn't cover a damn thing. 

sad but true!

[Melodyjn 88]

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/environmental-health/clia-lines-commit-universal-covid-19-testing-us-based-cruising?fbclid=IwAR1jrAdxBNtAOurOnMxNCtAACHoD-2wWMI-TAJ0kYRqOphi8rXMvQ3VyYDM

[DandA 392]

We live on the boarder of WV/VA. Our doctors are in VA and my mother, myself and my wife have had the nasal swabs for COVID testing done in VA prior to a scheduled medical procedure and the results have been back in 48 hours.  In WV they have rotated testing on demand around the various counties, I do not know how long it has taken to get those results.  Will be seeing my GP doctor next month and I will try to ask her about scheduling a test prior to a cruise and see what she says.

[Traveler 2,229]

Over here (outside of US) to be able and take a fight you need to bring a C19 test.

At first you could have done it as part of the health care system (without paying) but now they have changed it and you need to pay around 85$ it is being done at the travel clinics (were you get vaccine if you want to travel to places that requires it). Results are back in  24 hours  or less but to get the test you should show a prove of a flight and a passport.

As far as I know there is a certified FDA fast test  (less than 30 second ) there is also another approved test , like the PCR one but that can be done with smaller equipment and gives fast results. I believe RCL and NCL will signed a contract with several labs which will allow people that will show cruise tickets to take a test and get fast results.

Still , I am sure at the first cruises there will be lots of issues , not everyone will get results on time and not all people will be allowed to embark but it will become better. All until the  C19 vaccine  will be common enough.

[Cruisegirl1976 81]

20 hours ago, Melodyjn said:

New protocols are calling for prior Covid testing 24 hrs to 5 days prior to boarding, 

What has been the time frame for the people who have been tested to get their results? I am seeing most places take 3 days to get results if you are lucky.

I foresee this being an issue if everyone in your party can not get results back in  time to set sail due to the labs being over loaded with test.

Please let me hear your input and ideas on this issue

 

I think it depends where you live, there is a walk in clinic down the street from my work that does the tests with results in 10-15 minutes, you make an appt , pull up in your car, they come out, give you the test.. then you wait in your car and the walk out minutes later with the results.