Carnival cant answer our covid testing questions

[sanger727]

37 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

So, I guess we should assume that when CVS says "PCR/NAAT", which I had been interpreting as meaning it might be a PCR test or it might be a NAAT test, it really just means they are specifying it is the PCR version of the NAAT test?

 

If so that works.  Though I think it would have been less confusing for CVS to just state it is a PCR test, a term the average person is more likely to be familiar with, and leave the NAAT part out.

 

Yes, if CVS says PCR/NAAT I would read that to mean it's a PCR version of the NAAT test. I agree it's confusing, although there are other places requiring NAAT test. So with listing both it tells you that it will qualify for both PCR and NAAT requirements. 

[lobster1313]

5 minutes ago, Shayhooper said:

Thank you, that is very reassuring.  The project manager in me is still looking for a plan B just in case something happens but it does feel good to hear other's experiences.

Plan B depends if your flying or driving. Most airports have a location for same day PCR tests. There were a couple people  who got the wrong test and had to have their kids tested at the Miami Airport.

[Brew12]

3 minutes ago, atexsix said:

 

That's exactly how I am.  Or even a Plan C.

 

Something is off about this whole thing. Cruises are normally very efficient well timed operations, everything magically falls into place.  But this is different and completely out of step. 

 

Someone else must be manipulating this, probably the CDC, they are forcing the cruise lines hands:  "Do this or we shut you down".  

I don't think so, unless I've missed announcements from other cruise lines. If the CDC was pushing this I would expect the cruises that don't meet the 95% vaccinated limit to be getting rid of their mask free vaccinated only areas. 

 

[Shayhooper]

5 minutes ago, atexsix said:

 

That's exactly how I am.  Or even a Plan C.

 

Something is off about this whole thing. Cruises are normally very efficient well timed operations, everything magically falls into place.  But this is different and completely out of step. 

 

Someone else must be manipulating this, probably the CDC, they are forcing the cruise lines hands:  "Do this or we shut you down".  

Sure, it is possible that someone is manipulating this but for what purpose?  Personally I subscribe to the "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras" mentality.  Carnival is likely doing this because they don't want their customers getting sick both because they care about their customers and they care about their bottom line.  Cruisers that need to be tested and quarantined on board cost them money, both in testing costs and lost revenue because quarantine people aren't spending money on drinks, tours, bingo, restaurants, and rides.  Or casinos.  

[Brew12]

Just now, Shayhooper said:

Sure, it is possible that someone is manipulating this but for what purpose?  Personally I subscribe to the "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras" mentality.  Carnival is likely doing this because they don't want their customers getting sick both because they care about their customers and they care about their bottom line.  Cruisers that need to be tested and quarantined on board cost them money, both in testing costs and lost revenue because quarantine people aren't spending money on drinks, tours, bingo, restaurants, and rides.  Or casinos.  

Wait? QT'd people can't get drinks? 😲😲😲

 

I'm out, not worth the risk! 😜

[atexsix]

7 minutes ago, Shayhooper said:

Sure, it is possible that someone is manipulating this but for what purpose?  Personally I subscribe to the "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras" mentality.  Carnival is likely doing this because they don't want their customers getting sick both because they care about their customers and they care about their bottom line.  Cruisers that need to be tested and quarantined on board cost them money, both in testing costs and lost revenue because quarantine people aren't spending money on drinks, tours, bingo, restaurants, and rides.  Or casinos.  

Then why not end all this confusion and offer tests at U.S. terminals like they are doing overseas.  The cruise lines seem completely comfortable with it and have had no trouble developing an efficient process.  

[Shayhooper]

Just now, atexsix said:

Then why not end all this confusion and offer tests at U.S. terminals like they are doing overseas.  The cruise lines seem completely comfortable with it and have had no trouble developing an efficient process.  

My guess, and to be clear, it is only a guess, is that it would be very difficult to set up a space at some terminals that could both safely and efficiently administer the tests to 4,000 passengers. Not to mention it would be very costly to do so.  Additionally Carnival doesn’t own the terminals so there could be difficulties getting the terminals to allocate the space needed. 
 

 

[Shayhooper]

14 minutes ago, Brew12 said:

Wait? QT'd people can't get drinks? 😲😲😲

 

I'm out, not worth the risk! 😜

Mini bar?  😛

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

1 hour ago, Joe817 said:

With so little room for error on when to get the test, we have to plan very carefully

Joe I am almost at tears for me (5 weeks away) & in so many ways for you and other Carnival cruisers. We deserve better but are trying our best to meet the requirements & our hard earned money is in the balance.  Do your best and exhale once on board.  You deserve and at this point will have earned a vacation.

[imluvncruzn]

5 hours ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

I didn't say CVS isn't good enough for me, or that one couldn't get their test done at CVS. All I'm saying is at the CVS site it's not clear which test you'll be given since the rapid test option doesn't specify it's antigen and the other option might be the NAAT test, which apparently isn't accepted by Carnival. It puts us in a spot.

 

Walgreens options seem more useful, since they clearly list antigen, PCR, and the third type, ID-NOW, which Carnival doesn't specify as acceptable. The only problem there is in my case the closest antigen test to me is in Maine and I live in upstate New York. But the PCR would work, assuming I get the results fast enough.

I'm having the same issue.  There are no CVS locations in Western NY that offer the rapid Antigen test. They only offer the PCR/NAAT test.  Hopefully Carnival will release written clarification on whether or not the NAAT test is acceptable.  NAAT (nucleic acid amplification) and PCR (polymerace chain reaction) are not the same.  

[sanger727]

7 minutes ago, imluvncruzn said:

I'm having the same issue.  There are no CVS locations in Western NY that offer the rapid Antigen test. They only offer the PCR/NAAT test.  Hopefully Carnival will release written clarification on whether or not the NAAT test is acceptable.  NAAT (nucleic acid amplification) and PCR (polymerace chain reaction) are not the same.  

 

PCR is a type of NAAT test. If PCR is accepted then PCR/NAAT will be. 

 

From the CDC's requirements for air travelers. 

 

What types of SARS-CoV-2 test are acceptable under the Order?

Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. A viral test conducted for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) personnel, including DOD contractors, dependents, and other U.S. government employees, and tested by a DOD laboratory located in a foreign country also meets the requirements of the Order.

[MT_Sea_Cruisers]

8 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Here is a link to the CVS Minute Clinic Website.  Type in your zip code and a list of nearby places will show up.  You can make a reservation 2 weeks in advance, you pick a place, pick a day and then pick a time.  easy peasey.

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

easy peasy for those that don't live in a remote area of the US 😞

[CthyC]

Sorry I am a little confused and need some help.

[babygrljaz]

yes

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, atexsix said:

 

That's exactly how I am.  Or even a Plan C.

 

Something is off about this whole thing. Cruises are normally very efficient well timed operations, everything magically falls into place.  But this is different and completely out of step. 

 

Someone else must be manipulating this, probably the CDC, they are forcing the cruise lines hands:  "Do this or we shut you down".  

The CDC? Remember, they lost the suit that Florida filed against them. How would they be manipulating this?

[AtSeaWithChris]

2 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

The CDC? Remember, they lost the suit that Florida filed against them. How would they be manipulating this?

Do you remember the press briefing after the last loss the CDC had in the Florida case? They pretty much said we can still make you wear a mask.

[SheSailsFL]

Yes, per John Heald.

[alyssamma]

1 hour ago, Shayhooper said:

My guess, and to be clear, it is only a guess, is that it would be very difficult to set up a space at some terminals that could both safely and efficiently administer the tests to 4,000 passengers. Not to mention it would be very costly to do so.  Additionally Carnival doesn’t own the terminals so there could be difficulties getting the terminals to allocate the space needed. 
 

 

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)

[Don Kehote]

How on earth will an SMS message be sufficient to prove testing?  I mean, that's got to be another thing that faking would be super easy, barely an inconvenience.  I plan on figuring out how/where to get tested anyway, but not everyone has scruples.

[SCBarker]

This has been causing confusion on our FB roll call. Two separate people have posted these from two separate PVPs. Of course one says vaccinated and one says unvaccinated, but Carnival has stated 3 days in both instances. If they could just be more clear on what 3 days is, I guess.

[chefchick]

8 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Here is a link to the CVS Minute Clinic Website.  Type in your zip code and a list of nearby places will show up.  You can make a reservation 2 weeks in advance, you pick a place, pick a day and then pick a time.  easy peasey.

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

Please be aware that depending on where you are located, both tests (PCR or antigen) may not be available.  I live in Seattle and I was able to schedule an appointment but for PCR only…so speaking as someone from a metropolitan area it wasn’t so “easy peasey” if I wanted an quick turnaround antigen test…I can only imagine what it might be like for someone in an area where less pharmacy options might be available.

[Saint Greg]

That's the situation I'm in but I'm afraid you read these things on FB and CC and get to the port and have someone who doesn't read FB and  CC say "you took this test at 11am and you're boarding at 1pm so it's been 74 hours which is over three days." I may try for Thursday to be safe.

 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Saint Greg

[chefchick]

1 hour ago, Shayhooper said:

My guess, and to be clear, it is only a guess, is that it would be very difficult to set up a space at some terminals that could both safely and efficiently administer the tests to 4,000 passengers. Not to mention it would be very costly to do so.  Additionally Carnival doesn’t own the terminals so there could be difficulties getting the terminals to allocate the space needed. 
 

 

As of today (as we know things change rapidly around here 😜) NCL is requiring testing for its upcoming Encore sailings to Alaska.  It is providing the tests at the pier (included in the cruise fare). They are currently doing the test cruise and according to my TA who is onboard, they sent passengers across the street to a Marriott which was set up as a makeshift testing site.  Apparently quite effective and simple.  So it could be done.

[Terab85]

17 minutes ago, SCBarker said:

This has been causing confusion on our FB roll call. Two separate people have posted these from two separate PVPs. Of course one says vaccinated and one says unvaccinated, but Carnival has stated 3 days in both instances. If they could just be more clear on what 3 days is, I guess.

 

 

** This has been around FB and its wrong.  John Heald posted last night on his page:  **

 

TIME OF THE TEST.

This is the subject that had most of you confused and some of you became very frustrated and I do understand. There was some conflicting information put out by a few of our PVPs which I apologise for. So, let me make this as clear as I can for you.

It's not an exact 72 hours. We don't have a time stamp on this so please do not worry too much

You can get any time in the three days before you embark the ship

So if it's a Saturday departure, you can do the test on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

If your cruise departs on a Sunday then your test can be done on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday

If your cruise departs on a Tuesday from Seattle you can get your test on Saturday, Sunday or Monday

Please do not worry about your check in time or the ship sailing time because again this is not time stamped to an exact time. Just a maximum of 72 hours before the cruise departure date please.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Terab85

[Shayhooper]

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.