Caps_Shield

Has anyone used them for a Covid test prior to a cruise?  We sail on the 27th and have to drive to the port.  We found this place that takes insurance and does rapid tests 24 hours a day.  Just wondering if there is and feed back on them.

15 hours ago, Anton said:

The eMed site now (updated this afternoon) says the tests are good at least until February 1, 2022, or they might expire later (no date) and they can't guarantee which kit you'll get.

The Royal site version still says December 13th or something like that.  I wonder if that will be changing soon too?

53 minutes ago, K&RCurt said:

My understanding is that all of the currently available BiNax Now EMed proctored tests were made at the same time and originally expired on October 5th through 12th and had their shelf life extended by 3 months to December 5th through 13th.  There are warnings on both EMED and Optum's websites that the expiration date may be before you need to use it.

 

I am not sure if there are plans to extend the shelf life again or if they will make another run of them before the current ones expire, but I would use caution to be sure any test you purchase is valid for your cruise.

This is why I have not purchased yet.  Waiting to hear what happens in mid December.  There are so many hoops to jump through.  I would not mind if the tests were not so up in the air.  

16 hours ago, donnalack said:

Greetings.

We are on Independence, leaving December 27, from Port Canaveral. As I understand the current RCCL Covid requirements, we’re required to take a test 2 days before. Unfortunately, two days before ends up being Christmas Day. Nothing is open where I live on Christmas Day, not CVS, not Walgreens, nothing!  This is the first time we’ve cruised in 18 months, and I’m really not sure how to handle this. I would welcome your suggestions. Thank you very much!

I am on that exact sailing!  Looking forward to it.  That said, we are doing the at home tests  too.  It is super inconvenient for us because we have to drive to the port so there is hardly time.  We are buying extra tests too just in case something goes wrong.  

1 minute ago, JMKreno said:

We got off the Oasis a couple weeks ago. We had a party of 6, 5 over 12 (all vaccinated) and 1 6yr old. The OVER 12 experience was "fully" vaxxed in all venues when NOT with the 6 yr old. The ONLY location where we ALL had to be in an "unvaxxed" section was during dinner. However, if that is not something the group wants, you can unlink them and they will be given their own dining time. Otherwise, if you are NOT with the unvaxxed child, you can go to ANY venue that is fully vaxxed as well as take private tours in port WITHOUT the unvaxxed child. 

Thanks.   I can't make the call on the dinner thing. It's the wife's family.  I am not sure what a unvaxxed dinner is so I guess I'll find that out.  I just wanted to take my newly legal daughter to the casino and I was hoping I could.  Sounds like I will be golden.  

25 minutes ago, Miloomar said:

The rules only affect you when physically with the un-vaxxed.... if they are somewhere else on the ship, you can go anywhere a vaxxed person is allowed to go. 

But stay tuned to the news today... they are literally in the process of approving the 5-11 shots as I type this. It should be official by dinner time and the rollout should begin by this weekend

I have been hearing this.  I wonder how long it will take RCCL to change their rules.  I hope they actually get him a vaccine too.  That is not certain.

We have a December cruise and a large family going.  All the bookings are tied to one another.  Everyone is vaccinated except for the under 12.  Assuming they do not change the rules if/when the vaccine becomes available, how does he affect the others?  Like I hear RCCL has vaxxed only areas, would my family not be able to go since a different family has a non vaxxed person?  I do not want my time affected by someone else. If we untied the reservations would that fix this issue?

We sail December 27th on the Independence OTS and was wondering how far in advance I should be ordering my test kits for my family?  I hear that they come fast but I don't want to miss out.  I'm a bit of a planner/ worrier.  Also, besides just my family of 4, we have a much larger group going who will all need this on their own too. 

Cool.  It's a large group and I'm guessing he wouldn't want to follow anyway.  Thank you for your answer!

So I have a question.   I heard a rumor that all people in a party are considered unvaccinated if one person is unvaccinated.  Does that included linked reservations too?  So if we are linked for dining and other purposes does that mean everyone in the link is unvaccinated regardless actual status?   So we would not be able to go to vaccinated only locations on the ship?

21 hours ago, KyloRen said:

I thought you needed a Birth Cert? I just found out that one of the 10 people going with me doesn't have a Birth Cert. Can he get on without it?

Why do I recall needing them but I dont see anywhere on the site saying its necessary. 

He has a Valid Drivers LIC (NO passport) 

Help!?

Thanks!!

Isn't there an online company that you can get a copy that is usable to cruise lines?  Perhaps you will need to express the shipping depending on when you are leaving but I believe it is at least possible.  

That's interesting.  I wonder if that is due in part to the time of year?  For example, at some point, due to school,  Carnival has to start seeing less and less kids on the ships, right?  I know my kids are in school and my friends in Orlando, their kids started too.  

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

Depends.  What is your itinerary?

It does not depend.  All closed loop cruises you can use that.  I do it every time and we are fine.  Yes, if you get left behind you behind the 8 ball but it still works.

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

Why is saving lives dumb? Do you think Covid will take Christmas off? If those are still the rules then, those are the rules. Surely there is a Walgreens or CVS along your route where you can get tested and have results in minutes. It will take some planning, but it can be done.

The timing is dumb and I stand by that.   I never said anything about lives.  You are just making a argument where there is none.  You cannot give someone 3 days to do something where 1.5 days can be closed.  That's a tight window.   The people talking about Thanksgiving are in the same boat.  I think that timing is dumb too.  Carnival and other lines are acting as if everyone is near a port and don't travel.  There are some that fly and some that drive.  3 days makes it hard.  And your suggestion of stopping in the middle of nowhere at a random Walgreens and hoping for a test to be done is not a  good answer.  You can get all the way there and find out there was an issue.  Then what??

We sail on December 27th and this is a logistical nightmare for 3 days prior.  That means that December 24th is the first day to get a test.  Most places are closed on the 25th and close early on the 24th.  That only leave the 26th and we have to drive to the port starting 2 days prior.  How in the heck are we going to get a test?  I am normally Mr. Compliant and Complain Free but this is just dumb.  

3 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Keep in mind that if the other parties in your  group are linked in with your reservation, you are expected to adhere to their specific protocols.  So I wouldn't link if they aren't vaccinated.

 

At least that's what I was told by an agent.  We waited to link us all up until everyone got the shots.

 

For instance, it could pose a problem if you wanted to dine together etc.

So interesting!  I have no control over the linking since it is my wife's family and someone else is in charge of that.  I may have to bring this up though.  Thanks!

2 minutes ago, footzz said:

From Royal Caribbean regardind COVID tests: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise

Thank you for this.  I could not find it prior to you posting.  

So, for August, I need to show up with a test saying I'm negative and presumably my card? 

Traveling in December on the Independence OTS out of PC in Florida.  I understand that the world is changing by the day and that December is a long way off. That said, what is the current policy for testing for their ships?  My family has all had the vaccine for some time now but we are traveling with a group that not everyone has.  I'm more concerned about my vaxed group.  Do we still need a test prior to getting to the pier?  

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

DId he say only on the Mardi Gras?

I just assumed since he is on the Mardi Gras.   I didn't hear if it was all ships.

I am absolutely shocked.  I can not believe the amount of places that there are to eat on this ship.   Now Pig & Anchor too.  I'm going to gain 60 pounds on this ship next year.  

I believe that since these are called on-board credits, that you in fact need to be on board.  You can only use them for things you bought on board.  Examples would be tips, dinner reservations booked on-board, etc.

To my family, he is like the great white whale.  We want to have him and he has changed ships at the last moment before and we miss him.  He is fantastic from what I hear.  Heard he is on the Mardi Gras for Mike Pack and I hope it lasts until next year.  I doubt it will though with my luck.

Been on the Dream twice, which is a sister ship.  It is one of my favorites.  I love everything about it.   I hope you have as much fun as my family did.   As for Latin music, you will have to  see on the ship.   

Do we know what type of activities will be open during a cruise?  Like I am specifically talking about mini golf and the basketball courts?  Will they have trivia?  Can you swim?  I cannot believe how little information is out there.