handbellplayer Posted July 28, 2022 #1 Share Posted July 28, 2022 I was hoping and praying that the testing requirement would be over by now (we sail in 4 weeks). People on this board act like, “What’s the problem with getting tested? Easy peasy!” Here’s our situation: We drive to PC, so on a Sunday cruise, we drive down on Saturday. That leaves Friday for testing. We keep two toddler grandchildren Thursdays and Fridays, so everything we do – testing, packing, etc. must be worked around drives to and from pre-school, baths, naps, etc. I have read here of issues with Walgreens/CVS, eMed and OnPoint. And now the pharmacies charge $140/pp for testing. So I figure we need at least a Plan A and a Plan B. So I’m spending some amount of money that may well be wasted, not to mention the stress of praying that the solutions I choose don’t work out for whatever reason. Sorry to be so whiny, but I am wishing ow we’d never booked this cruise. Can anyone help me feel less stressed? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted July 28, 2022 #2 Share Posted July 28, 2022 2 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: I was hoping and praying that the testing requirement would be over by now (we sail in 4 weeks). People on this board act like, “What’s the problem with getting tested? Easy peasy!” Here’s our situation: We drive to PC, so on a Sunday cruise, we drive down on Saturday. That leaves Friday for testing. We keep two toddler grandchildren Thursdays and Fridays, so everything we do – testing, packing, etc. must be worked around drives to and from pre-school, baths, naps, etc. I have read here of issues with Walgreens/CVS, eMed and OnPoint. And now the pharmacies charge $140/pp for testing. So I figure we need at least a Plan A and a Plan B. So I’m spending some amount of money that may well be wasted, not to mention the stress of praying that the solutions I choose don’t work out for whatever reason. Sorry to be so whiny, but I am wishing ow we’d never booked this cruise. Can anyone help me feel less stressed? I have to fly to Copenhagen in 20 days and get tested after arriving. 😉 Your situation is way less stressful. Good luck 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlbecker1 Posted July 28, 2022 #3 Share Posted July 28, 2022 16 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: I was hoping and praying that the testing requirement would be over by now (we sail in 4 weeks). People on this board act like, “What’s the problem with getting tested? Easy peasy!” Here’s our situation: We drive to PC, so on a Sunday cruise, we drive down on Saturday. That leaves Friday for testing. We keep two toddler grandchildren Thursdays and Fridays, so everything we do – testing, packing, etc. must be worked around drives to and from pre-school, baths, naps, etc. I have read here of issues with Walgreens/CVS, eMed and OnPoint. And now the pharmacies charge $140/pp for testing. So I figure we need at least a Plan A and a Plan B. So I’m spending some amount of money that may well be wasted, not to mention the stress of praying that the solutions I choose don’t work out for whatever reason. Sorry to be so whiny, but I am wishing ow we’d never booked this cruise. Can anyone help me feel less stressed? I am really sorry that you are stressed. I would just do a emed home test whenever it is most convenient for me. A lot less stress IMO. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglovestocruise Posted July 28, 2022 #4 Share Posted July 28, 2022 20 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: I was hoping and praying that the testing requirement would be over by now (we sail in 4 weeks). People on this board act like, “What’s the problem with getting tested? Easy peasy!” Here’s our situation: We drive to PC, so on a Sunday cruise, we drive down on Saturday. That leaves Friday for testing. We keep two toddler grandchildren Thursdays and Fridays, so everything we do – testing, packing, etc. must be worked around drives to and from pre-school, baths, naps, etc. I have read here of issues with Walgreens/CVS, eMed and OnPoint. And now the pharmacies charge $140/pp for testing. So I figure we need at least a Plan A and a Plan B. So I’m spending some amount of money that may well be wasted, not to mention the stress of praying that the solutions I choose don’t work out for whatever reason. Sorry to be so whiny, but I am wishing ow we’d never booked this cruise. Can anyone help me feel less stressed? Order the emed from Royal. $70 for two tests. Proctors are available 24/7. Easy peasy once the kids are in bed and fast asleep. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishgal432 Posted July 28, 2022 #5 Share Posted July 28, 2022 19 minutes ago, John&LaLa said: I have to fly to Copenhagen in 20 days and get tested after arriving. 😉 Your situation is way less stressful. Good luck I think you will miss the ship.🤪 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted July 28, 2022 #6 Share Posted July 28, 2022 It is stressful. I suggest you write your cruise line and give your opinion 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigar King Posted July 28, 2022 #7 Share Posted July 28, 2022 Get the royal recommended tests. They're easy and you can take them when it's convenient for you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mil76 Posted July 28, 2022 #8 Share Posted July 28, 2022 24 minutes ago, John&LaLa said: I have to fly to Copenhagen in 20 days and get tested after arriving. 😉 Your situation is way less stressful. Good luck How bad could it get? Both my wife and I tested positive in Copenhagen before our Voyager cruise last month. Instead of hopping in the car and driving home (or better yet, testing before we left), we were stuck in one of the most expensive cities in the world with Covid, nowhere to stay, and a plane ticket home in 12 days. Now THAT was stressful. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlbecker1 Posted July 28, 2022 #9 Share Posted July 28, 2022 2 minutes ago, mil76 said: How bad could it get? Both my wife and I tested positive in Copenhagen before our Voyager cruise last month. Instead of hopping in the car and driving home (or better yet, testing before we left), we were stuck in one of the most expensive cities in the world with Covid, nowhere to stay, and a plane ticket home in 12 days. Now THAT was stressful. I am so sorry. That isn’t any fun at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted July 29, 2022 Author #10 Share Posted July 29, 2022 28 minutes ago, Mary229 said: It is stressful. I suggest you write your cruise line and give your opinion 31 minutes ago, irishgal432 said: I think you will miss the ship.🤪 Wow - thanks for the helpful responses! I have heard of problems with the eMed tests, too. If I order two tests, what if one doesn't work? Should I order more? Thanks to those who are sympathetic. I know I come across as a nut, but I have been confidently cruising for many years....before COVID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted July 29, 2022 #11 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Just now, handbellplayer said: Wow - thanks for the helpful responses! I have heard of problems with the eMed tests, too. If I order two tests, what if one doesn't work? Should I order more? Thanks to those who are sympathetic. I know I come across as a nut, but I have been confidently cruising for many years....before COVID. I was not being snarky. I think lots of people who think testing is great are making their views heard loud and clear. I think we need to speak up too. I know it is stressful. If they had taken my blood pressure last time I tested I would have been denied travel. It is horrible and completely destroys the sweet anticipation of a fun vacation. I have one more cruise past final payment and if it doesn’t end I am going to cancel the other cruises I have booked. I can go to those places without a cruise ship. They have sucked the joy out of travel 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted July 29, 2022 #12 Share Posted July 29, 2022 There is a site where you can login( make an appointment) and use the free government issued tests.I believe there is a $15 fee per test. Sorry I don’t recall the name. It is something like On point or One Point. You can Google it. Folks have reported good success. The past couple of cruises, we’ve used the RCCL tests with good results. m 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted July 29, 2022 Author #13 Share Posted July 29, 2022 1 minute ago, Mary229 said: I was not being snarky. I think lots of people who think testing is great are making their views heard loud and clear. I think we need to speak up too. I know it is stressful. If they had taken my blood pressure last time I tested I would have been denied travel. It is horrible and completely destroys the sweet anticipation of a fun vacation. I have one more cruise past final payment and if it doesn’t end I am going to cancel the other cruises I have booked. I can go to those places without a cruise ship. They have sucked the joy out of travel Sorry! I wish I thought the cruise lines cared what we think. I'm pretty sure $$ is all that matters to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted July 29, 2022 Author #14 Share Posted July 29, 2022 1 minute ago, cruisegirl1 said: There is a site where you can login( make an appointment) and use the free government issued tests.I believe there is a $15 fee per test. Sorry I don’t recall the name. It is something like On point or One Point. You can Google it. Folks have reported good success. The past couple of cruises, we’ve used the RCCL tests with good results. m I was planning to use them until I read many negative experiences on these boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted July 29, 2022 #15 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Just now, handbellplayer said: Sorry! I wish I thought the cruise lines cared what we think. I'm pretty sure $$ is all that matters to them. I think they believe we are all happy with the testing because that is who they hear from plus they don’t have to pay for it. Now that the insurance companies are not required to pay the testing fee and places are closing because cruising is the only activity that needs testing they need to rethink what they are doing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soremekun Posted July 29, 2022 #16 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I have a different situation. Two cruises coming up (Oct and Dec) but three tests left for me and my wife. Should I gamble and buy another test or just risk her missing the cruise in December? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 29, 2022 #17 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crzndeb Posted July 29, 2022 #18 Share Posted July 29, 2022 It can be stressful, but look on the bright side. You’re driving and you will still be in the US. Like John, I’m flying to Barcelona in Oct. and am taking a test with me. I’m hoping I won’t have to pre cruise test. I have 1 Emed test left and it’s going with me. So far, after 3 Emed test, they have all been fine. I’m going to stay positive and keep my glass half full. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlohaLivin Posted July 29, 2022 #19 Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) 11 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: Sorry! I wish I thought the cruise lines cared what we think. I'm pretty sure $$ is all that matters to them. How is Royal Caribbean profiting from Covid testing? It isn’t. The testing listed on their site is through Optum (UnitedHealthcare). The testing requirement was a response to a genuine public health crisis (and required of them by the CDC in order for cruise lines to return to service based on that crisis). They believe that requiring customers to test helps keep passengers safe (since we are all sandwiched in there tightly) and helps to keep their business afloat (which is completely reasonable given that they could likely not withstand a repeat of 2020-2021). Edited July 29, 2022 by AlohaLivin 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted July 29, 2022 #20 Share Posted July 29, 2022 56 minutes ago, irishgal432 said: I think you will miss the ship.🤪 I swear I typed 10😉 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbstx Posted July 29, 2022 #21 Share Posted July 29, 2022 There are a number of You Tube videos showing people using video-proctored testing. Perhaps watching a couple of those will ease your mind as to what to expect and how to set everything up so that your testing goes easily. I watched this one and this one If you have any of the free tests, you might take one just to get the feel for it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibe Posted July 29, 2022 #22 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I think the Royal Caribbean emed tests are your best option. If you run into problems: Another option is to test at the port: What if I don't find a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, or my test results? | Royal Caribbean Cruises it will all work out. Enjoy your cruise. 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygirl3 Posted July 29, 2022 #23 Share Posted July 29, 2022 40 minutes ago, handbellplayer said: Wow - thanks for the helpful responses! I have heard of problems with the eMed tests, too. If I order two tests, what if one doesn't work? Should I order more? Thanks to those who are sympathetic. I know I come across as a nut, but I have been confidently cruising for many years....before COVID. Use one if the at home tests the government sent and log onto Rapidtestandtrace.com. It is proctored, costs $20/pp, and you have the results in 30 min. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlbecker1 Posted July 29, 2022 #24 Share Posted July 29, 2022 33 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said: There is a site where you can login( make an appointment) and use the free government issued tests.I believe there is a $15 fee per test. Sorry I don’t recall the name. It is something like On point or One Point. You can Google it. Folks have reported good success. The past couple of cruises, we’ve used the RCCL tests with good results. m From what folks have posted Onpoint doesn’t have good customer service. People have posted about waiting over an hour for someone to answer. People have been posting about: https://rapidtestandtrace.com/ and the reviews seem much better. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare xpcdoojk Posted July 29, 2022 #25 Share Posted July 29, 2022 1 hour ago, soremekun said: I have a different situation. Two cruises coming up (Oct and Dec) but three tests left for me and my wife. Should I gamble and buy another test or just risk her missing the cruise in December? Smart… making sure it not the wife who misses the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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