MuttMutt Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 This is for residents of the US only. It will be limited to 4 tests per home. Beyond that not a lot of information available so these probably will not be useful for travel but who knows till they start shipping. I will be putting in an order even if it's just to have some on hand that can be used for my own information. https://www.covidtests.gov/ CFL, MaryCS62, Pooch and 5 others 3 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Alt Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 oh boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 Order early so they arrive by Christmas. Baked Alaska, Pattycruise, Swar and 4 others 1 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK2793 Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 See Below ….. Except by the time the post office finally delivers them to you, you’ll either be all better or dead Baked Alaska and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jzx1103 Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 Do cruiselines even accept these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 24 minutes ago, Jzx1103 said: Do cruiselines even accept these? Highly doubtful the ones sent out are the proctored version Neesa and RWDW1204 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuttMutt Posted January 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 Nobody really has a clue what was bought or if they will work for travel. In all odds they will not. However a couple tests sitting around for before you leave (especially if you plan to be in the area near the terminal well before the time the ship leaves) so you can test isn't a bad thing. I know some people will buy the OTC versions from the local big box or pharmacy just for that so this is a way to save a few bucks. As for shipping, and this is fully speculating, I would not be surprised if the USPS is holding stock at their major sorting centers so outside of it being a thing where your area is out of stock shipping should be fairly fast. It could even be possible for some of the large local post offices just had a box or two sitting around so it could literally be next day delivery. This is purely speculation but with the way things are being talked about it's a good possibility. Shay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 I would be shocked if they were proctored. They don't have to be for the general population and that adds additional, and unnecessary, cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffB Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 16 hours ago, MuttMutt said: As for shipping, and this is fully speculating, I would not be surprised if the USPS is holding stock at their major sorting centers so outside of it being a thing where your area is out of stock shipping should be fairly fast. It could even be possible for some of the large local post offices just had a box or two sitting around so it could literally be next day delivery. This is purely speculation but with the way things are being talked about it's a good possibility. Reasonable ....... I'd really like to see the current administration hit a home run with this program and getting the logistics right is key. If there has been advance procurement and stock-piling of home tests, it could happen. I'll speculate that the reason it is so hard to find the Abbott BinaxNow products is that Abbott is busy manufacturing and then selling them to the US government. I posted some stuff on the government program incidentally in another related thread. Here's the link if you haven't seen it yet. t's got some good info and links in it on the free COVID tests program: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 The contracts to procure tests so far were with middle man companies that supposedly already had tests in hand. So it could be a crazy cornucopia of test types. Who knows how many of the tests are expired, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittenmom Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 These are NOT the proctored antigen tests and, therefore, not accepted by cruiselines. They are the in-home tests for you to self-check. Also, FYI, for all retired military seniors and dependent spouses... the new reimbursement program (by your insurance company) for these same Covid in-home tests that was effective Jan 15th does not help us. Neither Medicare nor Tricare for Life insurance programs are covered. We're on our own! KristiZ and MamaShark 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Forlenza Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 You should also note that the insurance reimbursement for tests thing is already a headache and a nightmare. Don't count on quick reimbursement. Could be months, as none of these companies have a quick and easy way of doing this. So plan to have the money out of pocket for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 The link is now active to requests the federally-provided tests. https://special.usps.com/testkits IRMO12HD, JohnK6404, Baked Alaska and 3 others 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 42 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: The link is now active to requests the federally-provided tests. https://special.usps.com/testkits I already ordered mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Forlenza Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Ordered mine. Should be here in August or September. CrimsonCruiser, RWDW1204, Goodwood248 and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarinM Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 I just ordered a pack for the heck of it. Don't want to waste my cruise ones if I don't need to. S. Noble 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorDave17 Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluer101 Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Ordered mine a few hours ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Ordered my 4 pack for my family of 5..... Fox Forlenza 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJnKy Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Usps site says "ships in late January". This from the postal service, taken with a grain of salt! jticarruthers and Fox Forlenza 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Ordered for us and both adult offspring (3 different addresses) planning to use them day before we do the CVS test for the cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Forlenza Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Everyone already knew the omicron wave was going to be over before they got these things out. They aren't going to be good for travel or any formal needs. Just basically a test "so ya know". Reliability is going to be questionable as well. But, it could work to kind of give you an idea of what your status is before you spend money for a pre-cruise test for example. Pattycruise and Pooch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Noble Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Friendly suggestion to append “(Not for travel)” or “Not accepted for cruising”) or similar to the title of this thread. (Lots of folks may come here looking for info on testing requirements and might mistakenly think this means these free tests are accepted by Royal, or that Royal is giving out free tests, etc.) Fox Forlenza 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonCruiser Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Thanks for the reminder - just ordered mine. Don't know if they'll be taken by the cruise and I kinda doubt the expiration will last through August '22 but I think it will be overall good to have on hand just in case I have potential exposure in my day-to-day life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox Forlenza Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 12 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said: Thanks for the reminder - just ordered mine. Don't know if they'll be taken by the cruise and I kinda doubt the expiration will last through August '22 but I think it will be overall good to have on hand just in case I have potential exposure in my day-to-day life. They absolutely won't be taken by the cruise, since they are self administered with no proctor. These are exactly what you mentioned: for potential exposure in your daily life. Pattycruise and CrimsonCruiser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 I received mine yesterday (most efficient government transaction ever) I did not at all expect them to be the Ag Card tests, but just confirming for others, they're the standard home tests. Mine are from iHealth. Others may get different vendors. KristiZ and teddy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: I received mine yesterday (most efficient government transaction ever) I did not at all expect them to be the Ag Card tests, but just confirming for others, they're the standard home tests. Mine are from iHealth. Others may get different vendors. I got mine Monday teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffB Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 On the new QuestCOVID19.com web site mentioned on the front page and at the risk of repeating what everyone following this stuff here already knows, KNOW YOUR TEST TYPES AND PICK THE RIGHT TEST. I already posted a detailed explanation of molecular and rapid antigen tests here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/27964-the-dreaded-positive-test-result/&do=findComment&comment=304316 Per reports, RCL has "partnered" with Quest Diagnostics to make "free" testing available. That's accurate, just make sure you know what you're getting and how you will or will not incur charges for testing. Also know other companies are doing the same thing Quest is doing. You're not locked into Quest Diagnostics to obtain travel tests. That these testing opportunities are popping up is a result of the Biden Administrations requiring health insurance carriers to pay for COVID testing. In the case of any type of "monitored, proctored or clinician administered" COVID tests, where a licensed health care practitioner is required to order the test, Medicare Covers them. Home tests for Medicare beneficiaries are available though the USPS ordering site (you can four self test kits with two tests in each kit.) The web site QuestCOVID19.com (not a live link, copy and past it into your browser) is nicely laid out. I just went to it and made my way through the process to get a test - you can order kits or schedule a visit to a testing site. For testing sites, you can enter your zip code and see what's available in your area - either a molecular (PCR) test or Rapid Antigen test, possibly not both, with the molecular tests being more commonly available. Then select the one you want and start the scheduling process. Which test is best for you? If you're goal is to clear boarding protocols, Rapid Antigen tests (either home-monitored, e.g. Abbott BinaxNow, or clinic based tests performed by a clinician) are the easiest and IMO, your best option. If you have travelers in your party that are required to get a molecular test, well, then you'll have to get one. Quest states their molecular tests are being resulted within 24-48h so, that's great and if it turns out your insurance will cover them, that's even better! There are such things as "Rapid" Molecular tests and I'm assuming that is what Quest is using but I can't confirm that as they aren't saying what products they are using. Why do I favor the Rapid Antigen Tests? It's because of the dreaded post COVID positive you can pop on the much more sensitive molecular tests even months after you were exposed, even if you never had symptoms. Those pesky SARS-CoV2 virions can hang around for a long time inside you and will produce a positive when using molecular tests. With Omicron, it is a fact that lots and lots, I could say everyone but I won't, is going to be exposed and potentially develop completely asymptomatic infections and then recover from them (hard these days to actually define recovery). Those infections can still leave markers at trace levels where you are not even remotely infectious ...... but, you pop a positive on that PCR in that circumstance and you're done. At the risk of repeating what has already been posted, what about Canadians traveling to FL from Canada and returning to Canada? You don't need a molecular test to board an aircraft in Canada and fly to FL. Rapid Antigen tests will work and depending on your travel plans from Canada to FL, you could make one test work for arriving in the US and clearing boarding protocols on the ship. You do need a molecular test to fly from FL and re-enter Canada (RCL is no longer providing PCR tests aboard ship for debarking guests). According to RCL, international guests who need one can get a Rapid (same day) PCR test inside the terminal after debarkation or at the airport at your own expenses ($100 and up). I'd advise researching who is doing those at the ports or airports you are traveling through, for what prices and schedule testing in advance. Hope this is helpful, puts needed testing info in one place and I'm not reposting stuff that everyone already knows about. sammy79 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovetoCruise87 Posted January 26, 2022 Report Share Posted January 26, 2022 Should be getting mine soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonCruiser Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Still waiting on mine. Did you ever get shipping or tracking information? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 No information other than the original email that the order was received for me. jticarruthers and CrimsonCruiser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I got mine last week. Never heard of the brand. Suffice to say, I wont be using them for Royal Caribbean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 30 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said: Still waiting on mine. Did you ever get shipping or tracking information? Yes I did CrimsonCruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuttMutt Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 My girlfriend ordered some as soon as they were available. Nothing happening yet but I am in a small town about 40 miles from Tulsa so I am betting they are much more worried about getting people in the bigger cities tests than people living in places similar to me. No big deal either way since they would not be suitable for getting on the ship. I just ordered a set from eMed for the cruises, sadly the shipping went from 18 something to 21 something since my last purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWDW1204 Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Ordered ours 18 Jan. Received 29 Jan. Same USPS tracking info as @PG Cruiser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_A Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I received mine Monday - they should be fine for Piece of mind testing, but I have the Abbott proctored ones for my upcoming cruises... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 It's worth noting these tests are only good for 6 months and have no extension period like the Abbott ones do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 15 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: It's worth noting these tests are only good for 6 months and have no extension period like the Abbott ones do IMO, these tests are just for when you feel sick at home. As we thought, not the ones valid for a cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda R Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I ordered mine on Jan. 18th, rec'd on 29th. They are not the proctored ones you need for cruise lines. Just home self-test use. Mine expire in July 2022. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 8 minutes ago, Matt said: IMO, these tests are just for when you feel sick at home. As we thought, not the ones valid for a cruise. "Pre-pre-cruise" tests. Pooch and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.