Shayhooper

7 hours ago, Aussie65 said:

 

The ID Now test is a rapid test and is not a PCR test (it is a molecular test) and therefore according to the above it is not acceptable.

 

From the list above, bold is mine.  NAAT Molecular tests are acceptable, which is what the Abbot ID Now test is.

NAAT include (acceptable for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests):

• PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR 
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) test
• Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test
• Isothermal amplification
• Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
• Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)

Personally I was glad to hear about this experience and other’s.  Just like many situations that the pandemic has presented us with, there really are no good choices here.  Waiting so long for a credit, especially during a time when so many people were out of work, is not acceptable.  From a business perspective, trying to retain cash so you can not go bankrupt at a time when you can’t generate revenue is essential.  

It is a bad situation for everyone.  

Per the Carnival Site, the Abbot ID Now is a NAAT molecular test and is acceptable.

Antigen tests include (acceptable for fully vaccinated guests only):

• Rapid antigen test
• Viral antigen test
• Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay
• Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay, or 
• Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence

NAAT include (acceptable for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests):

• PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR 
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) test
• Molecular test or molecular diagnostic test
• Isothermal amplification
• Droplet Digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
• Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)

A rapid antigen or rapid PCR test is acceptable (of the test types listed above) are acceptable.

For those not wanting to buy 6 tests, this site has 2 and 3 test packs. 
 

https://store.optum.com/shop/category/tests-and-devices/covid-19-home-tests/

7 hours ago, mthomp5 said:

I'm in Portland too and also having a hard time finding a rapid test --- no luck at Walgreens or Legacy GoHealth Urgent Care (which said they are not testing for travel).  Rite Aid said they only do PCR and told me it could take 2-5 days (so i ruled that out).  I found a Covid  Clinic in Tigard (near the Washington Square Mall that charges $129 for the rapid antigen test.  I'm thinking of buying the home test kit as a back up too.  Where did you get the PCR test scheduled?

 

Hi neighbor!  I scheduled here as soon as the requirement was announced.  Hopefully they still have some open appointments.

https://patient.questdiagnostics.com/no-cost-covid-test

Another options might be Zoomcare.  It appears they are also doing testing but they require a “virtual visit” prior to allowing you to test and I wasn’t sure if they accept insurance.

When are you cruising?

9 minutes ago, Hockeydad1972 said:

All primary physicians will test you if you have symptoms no questions asked so I don’t feel bad in the least doing what I have to do to get my test covered at an urgent care or CVS/Walgreens. I didn’t create the situation that’s mandating I test before I go therefore I don’t feel bad using the system to my advantage to not have to pay.. I got vaccinated just so I could travel and now that’s not enough so no guilt on my end saying I have been exposed and have symptoms to not pay $300 for test for my wife and I.. 

As I said, I will not judge anyone who chooses to go that route but for me and my family I don't feel comfortable taking a test from someone who is truly sick.  Unfortunately in my area rapid tests for those without showing symptoms, there simply are not supplies.  Worst case scenario I can pay for a rapid test out of pocket and hope my insurance reimburses me. 

I'm sorry you felt you had to cancel but at the end of the day you are spending a lot of money and should be spending that money in a way that feels relaxing for you.  The relief you feel confirms that you made the right choice for you.

Hopefully you will still do something fun that week.

Unfortunately in my area they are out of supplies for the rapid tests so both Walgreens and Legacy Go Health have no appointment available unless you are feeling symptoms.  While I won't judge anyone else for saying they are feeling symptoms in order to get a test, I simply don't feel that I would OK utilizing 3 tests when others who are sick actually need them.

I do have a PCR test scheduled for Wednesday but I am worried because they say results typically come within a day of when the samples are picked up.  If it is picked up on Wednesday, I should have results on Thursday but it could be on Friday.  Since my flight is on Friday, I'm nervous.

Does anyone have the link for where I can buy 3 of the Emed home tests?

My husband wondered if we should volunteer to bring a pig on board.  I think he was kidding.

I appreciate NCL holding out for the right and safe conditions. 

John Heald updated this morning that the Abbott ID Now test is acceptable.  That should make life much easier for vaccinated passengers to get testing.

Per John Heald this morning, Carnival will be putting out a list of tests that are accepted but he specifically answered that the ID Now test was acceptable.  This makes things MUCH easier for so many people.

We are on the Panorama and decided to book Jiji and Cucina for the elegant night. Our family is a super casual one and I don’t think my husband even owns a pair of khakis. My daughter and I live in jeans and leggings, especially for the past 17 months. 

Cocktail prices don’t seem outrageous. 

18 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

ugh...!

 

So far, no big hitches. I was sad to see that Emeril's Bistro was not open for lunch today as it was for the sailing last Saturday, that was our planned first food stop. Instead ended up at Shaq's Big Chicken, and was actually impressed with the MDE Chicken Sandwich !!

 

Trying to find my reservations in the Hub app. Have not yet (but I did confirm our reservation at the Steakhouse earlier). The fellow I spoke to there said they have 130 people for tonight, with 9 servers. He said this with the look of stress on his face!

 

Tom

130 for 9 servers shouldn’t be too bad.  Assuming 2 people per table and let’s say 2 different seatings, that would be at worst 3 - 4 tables at a time per server.  That number goes down dramatically if there are more people per table.

I love that you have managed to be on the 1st sailing for both Royal and NCL.  Have a wonderful trip!

For my Escape cruise, I was able to book dining but not shows.  

One of the reasons I have almost exclusively sailed on NCL is because my family HATES to dress up.  What are our options for eating if we want to stay in shorts or jeans?  Will some of the up-charge restaurants be available?  I was thinking of the Asian and BBQ restaurants on those nights.  Or are we stuck with just the buffet?

55 minutes ago, wkucrprez said:

Is a RT-PCR test administered at a clinic acceptable?

Yes.

20 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

But why drop 150 for 6 test kits when you can go to your CVS or Walgreens and have it be free?  Unless you're in an extreme rural area?

Walgreens is not offering an antigen test unless you are showing symptoms and for me there is no CVS within 100 miles. Some people really have very limited options. 

10 minutes ago, Steelers0854 said:

This is exactly what I’m thinking too and what we are going to roll with since we already bought them.  Nothing like rolling the dice!  🙂. 

See below quote from John Heald's FB post.  It is just my opinion, so please take it for what it is worth, that your tests will not be approved.  A back up plan might be wise.

1 hour ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Not really, since we sail on 8/7 (mask start date fleetwide) and not the next Saturday 8/14 (covid test pre-cruise fleetwide).

 

Tom

Oh good!  I was worried for you guys.

44 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

And, up until last week, I was reading that breakthrough cases were no more than .9% among those who were vaccinated.

 

My wife caught it, and then gave it to me... both vaccinated.... 100% as far as my little world is concerned !

 

Tom

Are either of you worried that you will still test positive for the pre-cruise tests?  My understanding is even after you are recovered you can still test positive for a few months.

1 minute ago, rtazz17 said:

Pretty sure its free no matter the reason.

It depends.  There was one location I found that could do several different tests however they didn't submit to insurance and you had to pay at the time you scheduled the test.  I'm not sure if I submitted the costs to my insurance company if they would then reimburse me, however if they didn't, I also don't know how to submit to the government under the CARES act.

That said, I'm trying to exhaust all my "free" options 1st.

12 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

MSC is doing this without problem...and paying for it...it doesn't cost the passengers anything (yes, I know, prob buried in the cruise cost)

Agreed, however they are only sailing from Miami right now and I believe their first cruise from there was a few days ago.  They have had the time to set up the required vendors and space.  Additionally they are slowly starting cruising from other American terminals, so they can set it up.

With Carnival doing this on the fly, I'm not sure they have had the ability to do this from all the cities they are sailing from.  Again though, I'm just speculating.