Supervised at-home tests now accepted by RC

[smokeybandit]

This is great since my wife gets free Binax tests through work

 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/08/09/royal-caribbean-now-accepts-cdc-approved-home-covid-19-tests?fbclid=IwAR0_NF22yXD4rEi_N7dIq4UqEeUBMYySmsCmpmGfKAeuZYknUhzYPkT1cco

[Unsuspecting Cruiser]

Amazon has a $40 collect-at-home PCR test if anyone's interested.

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Covid-19-Test-Kit/dp/B08ZR5XNBM/ref=sr_1_5

[Donna G]

this is great for people that don't live in an area where free covid tests are not easy to find or are just really busy and can't get out to get one.  

[JimnKathy]

While this is certainly a more reasonable option, the fact that they must be done within a 3-day window is pretty ridiculous, and here's our example that many can relate to.

While we're already fully vaxed, and for a Saturday sailing which we've already booked hotels (Thurs & Fri night) and airfare (Thurs), we get tested on Wednesday in Memphis and get a quick result. If it's negative we're good to go. If it's positive, we're too late to cancel hotel reservations (24-hour notification window) and stuck with more flight credits with Southwest Airlines AND our B2B Symphony sailing is gone at the last minute.

While we have travel insurance and can afford to carry flight credits, the mere fact that we're already vaxed up and still have to adhere to these testing requirements is inane when the science shows that vaxed folks who exercise reasonable social distancing/mask wearing present virtually zero risk to others. 

Happy sailing!  

 

[SpeedNoodles]

A 3-day window is pretty standard, though.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Wonder if Binax will ship to Canada? lol

[KristiZ]

9 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Wonder if Binax will ship to Canada? lol

You just need a friend to send them to you -- you can actually take the test anywhere in the world. I've been carrying them with me on my travels, just in case  

[JeffB]

4 hours ago, JimnKathy said:

While this is certainly a more reasonable option, the fact that they must be done within a 3-day window is pretty ridiculous, and here's our example that many can relate to.

For a Saturday sailing which we've already booked hotels (Thurs & Fri night) and airfare (Thurs), we get tested on Wednesday in Memphis and get a quick result. If it's negative we're good to go. If it's positive, we're too late to cancel hotel reservations (24-hour notification window) and stuck with more flight credits with Southwest Airlines AND our B2B Symphony sailing is gone at the last minute.

While we have travel insurance and can afford to carry flight credits, the mere fact that we're already vaxed up and still have to adhere to these testing requirements is inane when the science shows that vaxed folks who exercise reasonable social distancing/mask wearing present virtually zero risk to others. 

Happy sailing!  

 

Pre-boarding or pre-entry anything Antigen testing is overkill based on actual risks but is an appropriate approach for businesses. If one wants to cruise, get used to it. It's going to around for a while and certainly through 2021. Options are available like don't go......if its not too late to cancel, that's an option. If your risk tolerance is low, buy trip insurance with cancel for any reason. No need to blame cruise lines for keeping their places of business as safe as possible for customers and employees.  

[JimnKathy]

My only blame is focused on the CDC...I'm well aware that the cruise lines are simply reacting to crazy regulatory overkill.

[JasonOasis]

1 hour ago, JimnKathy said:

My only blame is focused on the CDC...I'm well aware that the cruise lines are simply reacting to crazy regulatory overkill.

With the Delta variant here requiring all passengers regardless of vaccination status to test negative before boarding a cruise isn't overkill it just smart business at this time. I'm not one to defend the CDC I think they have over step their authority but the CDC isn't requiring negative test for all passengers prior to boarding the cruise lines like Carnival and Royal are requiring this of their own accord. 

If people don't want to get vaccinated I'm 100% okay with it, its your body your choice.  Requiring a negative COVID test to board a cruise ship isn't an imposition it is a step cruise line have to take to try and keep the more contagious Delta variant off the ship. 

[TXcruzer]

6 hours ago, Unsuspecting Cruiser said:

Amazon has a $40 collect-at-home PCR test if anyone's interested.

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Covid-19-Test-Kit/dp/B08ZR5XNBM/ref=sr_1_5

I don't think this one will work, it says nothing about it being supervised.  You also have to mail this one in, I don't trust the USPS when i am working with a scant 72 hour window.

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, JasonOasis said:

Requiring a negative COVID test to board a cruise ship isn't an imposition it is a step cruise line have to take to try and keep the more contagious Delta variant off the ship. 

I completely agree with this - as long as everyone boarding must get tested.

[BrianB]

I wonder how many people tested positive before sailing…either within the 72hrs or at the pier. I haven’t really researched it but also haven’t read too many posts or comments elsewhere of people having to cancel due to a positive test. I know of a few cases, some are from people who ‘heard about’ someone who tested positive. Does anyone have any info on this. Just curious if the testing is really working as intended.

[smokeybandit]

I'd be curious of that, too. How many cancel a cruise due to a positive test vs testing positive on board.

[JimnKathy]

We've been fully vaxed since April. Based on science, the additional pre-cruise testing requirement is complete overkill.

While I understand the cruise lines are attempting to mitigate risk as much as possible (and they seem to be doing a great job thus far), this additional step is silly IMHO.

[spellman]

49 minutes ago, JimnKathy said:

We've been fully vaxed since April. Based on science, the additional pre-cruise testing requirement is complete overkill.

While I understand the cruise lines are attempting to mitigate risk as much as possible (and they seem to be doing a great job thus far), this additional step is silly IMHO.

Not sure which "science" you are quoting, but just because you've been fully vaccinated doesn't prevent you from a) catching then b) spreading or c) getting sick from Covid.

I fully support the cruise companies insisting on negative tests from all pax before boarding to minimise the risks for all on board. Contributing to the collective health of everyone on board is not overkill or silly IMHO.

[spellman]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

I'd be curious of that, too. How many cancel a cruise due to a positive test vs testing positive on board.

I don't have numbers, but when we dropped our car at the park and ride for our cruise last week, the bus driver did say a "few people" had returned back to get their cars the same day after testing positive at the terminal. 

[JeffB]

27 minutes ago, spellman said:

I don't have numbers, but when we dropped our car at the park and ride for our cruise last week, the bus driver did say a "few people" had returned back to get their cars the same day after testing positive at the terminal. 

Speculating because I don't know what kind of arrangements RCL has with shore based agencies wrt the handling of COVID positives or where the line is drawn between the terminal's responsibility to deal with a COVID positive and RCL's.

But, it's unlikely that a COVID positive guest identified in the terminal or on the ship is simply going to be told to go home. RCL is definitely going to want to make sure close contacts are identified, the guest is at least told he needs to mask and quarantine and sign documents he is informed and will comply or if on the ship, will get quarantined, then appropriately transferred to limit exposure to others, etc.  

My take is that the number of people this is happening too is very small. We'd hear about it via a prying media trying to get a scoop if there were a lot of them.

One other point. The OP stating that Antigen testing for vaxed guests is overkill and not consistent with the science is fundamentally correct. It would probably not be necessary based on CDC guidance to not test asymptomatic people, still present even in the presence of Delta, in any other setting but the cruise lines. The reason is that the risk would not justify the cost. For example, are indoor sporting events, casinos or resorts doing it? Nope.  The cruise lines are a different animal. In that circumstance, it is an appropriate investment and consistent with the goal of keeping the shipboard environment as safe and COVID free as possible. I disagree with the OP that it overkill for the cruise lines to require it.  

[CruiseDiva]

Has anyone used the Binax (supervised one) for RCCL?   I clicked the link to order and saw the initial link is to the un-supervised one.  It had the link to the supervised one that was 6 tests for $150.  Waiting to see if Carnival follows suit for an Oct cruise.

[CruiseDiva]

13 minutes ago, CruiseDiva said:

Has anyone used the Binax (supervised one) for RCCL?   I clicked the link to order and saw the initial link is to the un-supervised one.  It had the link to the supervised one that was 6 tests for $150.  Waiting to see if Carnival follows suit for an Oct cruise.

Just checked Carnival's website and they accept as well.  Reading is fundamental  

[spellman]

16 hours ago, JeffB said:

My take is that the number of people this is happening too is very small. We'd hear about it via a prying media trying to get a scoop if there were a lot of them.

I think the number of people getting turned away at the terminal will be very small, as it would only be mostly children being tested as positive on check-in day.

If you didn't have a negative test to present on departure day you wouldn't even bother turning up at the terminal - you'd contact RCI and presumably get a future cruise certificate whilst you self-isolate at home. I think you'd be surprised at the number of people who are testing positive, holding the false belief that now they are fully vaccinated they can't catch Covid!

Departure day testing is being scaled back (in the UK at least) with ALL passengers now required to take a PCR test in advance. Only those who don't get their results will be tested at the terminal.