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Does RC do rapid testing at embarkation

Price31

By Price31,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Biker19

Biker19

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 minutes ago, Price31 said:

I ask because places around here are only testing if your showing symptoms.

Assuming you are asking about US departures, yes, but you must reserve it ahead of time and it's at least $100 pp

Edited by Biker19
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Notts1964

Notts1964

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Posted

On our recent European sailings, from Barcelona and from Limassol, RC gave everybody a free antigen test at the port side just prior to embarkation. It was very well organised and very quick.

However, as already mentioned, if you are embarking from a US port you need to organise your own tests, at your own expense, within 48 hours of embarkation. Although there is a limited facility at the port you can book for around $100pp.

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Sea Dog "Live from...." Rare

Sea Dog

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I'm curious if you were to schedule at back up test at the pier but then test at the hotel using the Binax Now AG-Card test. If everything went negative, could you not show for the scheduled backup and not be charged?

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Biker19

Biker19

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8 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Not offered in San Pedro, CA for Navigator cruises. 

Yet. If RCI plans to continue the testing requirement after the CSO becomes voluntary in January, they'll likely set up testing at all US embarkation ports.

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jimdalva

jimdalva

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1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

I'm curious if you were to schedule at back up test at the pier but then test at the hotel using the Binax Now AG-Card test. If everything went negative, could you not show for the scheduled backup and not be charged?

Only if the test is proctored , and results are e mailed.

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Sunshine3601

Sunshine3601

Posted
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5 hours ago, Price31 said:

I ask because places around here are only testing if your showing symptoms.

Another choice depending on when your cruise is to order the online proctored tests sold by optum or emed depending on how many you need, but they expire early december last I heard.

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Itchy&Scratchy Great Review Rare

Itchy&Scratchy

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12 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Have you done one in So California at no $. Here CVS and Walgreens do not do Rapid tests at no charge for travel....insurance or no insurance. 

again... It's not that CVS or Walgreens don't charge any money for the tests. They DO. But they file it with your insurance, if you have it, and the insurance covers it. The same with the local urgent care centers. They file the charges with the insurance company.

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not-enough-cruising

not-enough-cruising

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42 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

again... It's not that CVS or Walgreens don't charge any money for the tests. They DO. But they file it with your insurance, if you have it, and the insurance covers it. The same with the local urgent care centers. They file the charges with the insurance company.

And if you have no insurance, the federal government is billed. 

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suzyluvs2cruise

suzyluvs2cruise

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17 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

again... It's not that CVS or Walgreens don't charge any money for the tests. They DO. But they file it with your insurance, if you have it, and the insurance covers it. The same with the local urgent care centers. They file the charges with the insurance company.

 

17 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

And if you have no insurance, the federal government is billed. 

And in So. CAL where I live they will not give...or bill...for rapid tests for travel.

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not-enough-cruising

not-enough-cruising

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53 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

And in So. CAL where I live they will not give...or bill...for rapid tests for travel.

You don't have to tell them it is for travel.  One more time, this is a federal program, I don't understand why CA is making it so difficult for you.  

Testing is the cornerstone of the Federal mitigation plan, why would California not allow their citizens to participate?

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Knights on the Beach

Knights on the Beach

Posted
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19 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

again... It's not that CVS or Walgreens don't charge any money for the tests. They DO. But they file it with your insurance, if you have it, and the insurance covers it. The same with the local urgent care centers. They file the charges with the insurance company.

When we were tested for our August cruise, Walgreens didn't even ask for our insurance info but CVS did.

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wen_c82

wen_c82

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20 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Have you done one in So California at no $. Here CVS and Walgreens do not do Rapid tests at no charge for travel....insurance or no insurance. 

I’m in OC and did an antigen test at CVS  in Sept without cost to me. CVS billed my insurance co.  My brother did an antigen test at Hoag a couple weeks ago for a cruise without cost also.  A few weeks ago there was zero appointments for antigen test at CVS anywhere in OC. 
I’m waiting to purchase Binaxnow protcored kits with newer expiration date for cruise next year. 

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Bead Pirate

Bead Pirate

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On Allure now, we arrived early on Sunday with our vaccine records, Passports and proof of negative test within 48 hours. As we were standing in line to enter terminal 6 or 7 Royal shoreside people were going down the line checking the documentation. The couple in front of us (Suite line) were told the test documentation they had with them was not accepted.

 

They were pulled out of line and escorted to a white van all the way at the other end of the garage which had a couple of folding tables and some folding chairs. A 15 minute test was administered to them and they returned to the line after clearance (it would be another 30 minutes before we entered the terminal.

 

I would not count on this in all cases as the passenger counts are increasing (we have 3333 on the Allure this trip). They may have also been B2B for all I know (there are many on this cruise) and needed a current test.

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Lou33

Lou33

Posted
Posted (edited)
7 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

You don't have to tell them it is for travel.  One more time, this is a federal program, I don't understand why CA is making it so difficult for you.  

Testing is the cornerstone of the Federal mitigation plan, why would California not allow their citizens to participate?

There's no problem to get a free PCR test in California with results in 2-3 days.  But for some reason Walgreens, CVS etc. do not offer the antigen tests.  You might find a rapid antigen test at an Urgent Care or dedicated testing clinic here, but you have to pay them.  They don't want to even hear the word insurance.  I don't think this is a California rule, I think this is a decision by local Walgreens and CVS.  

Edited by Lou33
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