Carnival now offer Covid Tests for vaccinated at the port.

[UpstateCruizer]

I just received an email with the following information that may be helpful for anyone having issues getting an appointment for the precruise Covid test. 

[mommysoncruiser]

For $100. They can keep it! I guess it's good for people that have no other choice. 

[Lee Cruiser]

"Since capacity is limited, we kindly ask this option be used only by those guests who have been unsuccessful in making other testing arrangements."

 

I'm guessing the $100 per person, or $200 per couple will take care of that.  Every clinic that I have spoken with around here says that insurance covers it regardless of the reason for the test.  For our cruise in September that was the case.  I was a little concerned about our January cruise that leaves out on Monday.  Two of the clinics that my wife and I use are closed on the weekends.  However, there are two others in our county that offer testing and are open on Saturdays.

[kona_wahine]

wow, $100 pp, that’s crazy. 

Edited November 3, 2021 by kona_wahine

[ryanpatricksmom]

It is outrageously expensive, but I have a scenario next year where I'm doing a B2B Disney cruise and then I hop on the Mardi Gras.  I've been hoping that I would be able to pay for an approved test onboard the Disney cruise, but if they offer this option next year it will be quite a relief to know that there's an actual plan that is guaranteed for my unusual circumstance.

 

[IntrepidFromDC]

I received the same email earlier today.  It's a nice plan B for anyone who is cancelled by CVS or Walgreen's.  Although more convenient than a trip to CVS, it's $100 more expensive and if we test positive we're out the ground transportation expense and trouble of packing and paying the dog and ferret sitter.  I'd still use CVS/other testing site first, as their letter prefers.

[stellarose]

wow 100 bucks each. also only for November sailings.  guess they are not worried about Christmas travel yet. 

[canes20]

29 minutes ago, kona_wahine said:

wow, $100 pp, that’s crazy. 

 

They are getting some of that free OBC back that they gave everybody.

[Ilovesailaway]

A lot of ppl stress pretty hard about the test so I can see these appointments filling up. 

[jimbo5544]

This clearly is in response to people stating they cannot get tested prior to cruising.  

[K_e_short]

I think that is a great thing they are offering and if you see the time line, it's right around Thanksgiving, which is why so many people were concerned about not being able to get tested.

 

Oh and $100 is nothing... For my Christmas cruise I need to pay $40 CAD X2 to get into the U.S. (and use the same test to get on the ship thankfully) and $179 USD X 2 to get back into Canada.

 

Carnival is the cheapest cruise line so the money I'm saving on the cruise is being used for testing.

I'd hope most people see that cost as part of their cruise budget.

 

[Caribbean Drifters]

I sail Nov. 6th, if I KNEW this was a possible back up I would not have bought the BINAX home tests ($160 for 6 tests).There has been so many bad tests mailed out that people are buying 3 or 6 tests just to be safe. I would have just scheduled my free CVS test, and used the port option as a back up.

[UpstateCruizer]

5 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

"Since capacity is limited, we kindly ask this option be used only by those guests who have been unsuccessful in making other testing arrangements."

 

I'm guessing the $100 per person, or $200 per couple will take care of that.  Every clinic that I have spoken with around here says that insurance covers it regardless of the reason for the test.  For our cruise in September that was the case.  I was a little concerned about our January cruise that leaves out on Monday.  Two of the clinics that my wife and I use are closed on the weekends.  However, there are two others in our county that offer testing and are open on Saturdays.

I agree BUT I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Carnival to charge for the service …..however $100 is crazy. They have to pay a company to come do the tests so I can understand why it’s not free. I know CVS was contracted by Norwegian to do testing at the port. By setting the cost so high the only people that will sign up are those who are desperate or have no other options. 

[UpstateCruizer]

4 hours ago, stellarose said:

wow 100 bucks each. also only for November sailings.  guess they are not worried about Christmas travel yet. 

It’s being tested to see how it goes. I’m sure if it goes well then they will continue to offer it. People were in a panic over getting tested around Thanksgiving. It’s a good fall back option. 

[cmichael1221]

53 minutes ago, UpstateCruizer said:

I agree BUT I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Carnival to charge for the service …..however $100 is crazy. They have to pay a company to come do the tests so I can understand why it’s not free. I know CVS was contracted by Norwegian to do testing at the port. By setting the cost so high the only people that will sign up are those who are desperate or have no other options. 

$100 really isn't unreasonable.  When I had COVID tests done at a doctor's office in Chicago they billed my insurance company $202.50 and $167.50, so $100 really isn't bad for a test for travel, which isn't generally covered under insurance in some places.

[RGEDad]

4 hours ago, Caribbean Drifters said:

There has been so many bad tests mailed out that people are buying 3 or 6 tests just to be safe.

How many bad tests, vs how many have been shipped??

I have read on this CC of maybe 1 mangled shipping issues (replaced), 2 test failures (1 cancelled due to test falling on the floor, 1 due to alleged proctor bad instruction) and 2 fluid fluid bottle issues). If you have a different count - could you please supply them, or the source? 

I think people have enough testing stress without inflated testing issues being propagated. 

[Sue Goodreds]

I sail 11/21/21 and I did not receive an email like that.  ???

[naxer]

I was glad to get that email, but I just received the BiNax test I'll take on Thanksgiving (three weeks from today).  $100 is a lot, and as someone mentioned, I thought how my cancelled cruise OBC would have covered it.  But, as I'm flying in, I wondered what would happen if I tested positive on the pier? Would I be forced to quarantine?  And there's always a chance of a false positive.  Ugh.  I'll be glad when this testing requirement is done.  I would usually cruise again in February, but no way this winter.  A friend, who I was supposed to cruise with, suggested we go to New Mexico, and we'll make our plans next week.

[topaz123]

At last another option.....yes lot of $$$$, but at the very least, it's a good option to have if you cannot find a Rapid Test locally that works with flight schedules.  Some of these Airport Covid Test places are charging $135/Ea.

[Joebucks]

Smart for Carnival for giving both choice and I'm sure it will add some revenue to their bottom line

 

The whole thing is a racket

[JGB]

A racket really? I am taking advantage of a Carnival casino offer that is giving me $4500 in perks for a 6 day cruise and if I have to pay a premium for the convince of being tested at the cruise  terminal so be it. 

JGB

[cmichael1221]

2 hours ago, JGB said:

A racket really? I am taking advantage of a Carnival casino offer that is giving me $4500 in perks for a 6 day cruise and if I have to pay a premium for the convince of being tested at the cruise  terminal so be it. 

JGB

Agreed!  How is it a 'racket'?  $100 is actually a good price for an out of pocket rapid test for travel...

[naxer]

13 hours ago, RGEDad said:

I think people have enough testing stress without inflated testing issues being propagated. 

Since this was posted, I think you need to add another "no fluid in the bottle."  No matter how many tests are sent out, in this small group, this is not a very good track record.  The company has some QC issues.  I do not recall ever having found an empty dispenser in any pharmaceutical product I have previously purchased.

 

I find it all stressful, and I don't find people sharing their experiences or concerns inflating it.  Thanks to their taking the time to post, knowing what can go wrong has helped me to consider what the  back-up options are.  

[RRLC]

Question:  If you purchased a non refundable cruise fare and you choose to test through Carnival at the port, what happens if you test positive?  Will you receive a refund for the cruise?

[arpie05]

I sail 11/8 out of PC and we didn't receive the email.