Enjoyed our Covid test at Walgreens today

[coaster]

Went to Walgreens for our scheduled Covid test to board Serenade Friday. Guy at drive-in pharmacy window was so funny telling us how people have messed up on the procedures in the past.  He had a great spiel like he must of been a comedian in his past careers.

 

Appointments seem to be wide open now. Was the not the case back in October when we saw no availability and had to order the proctored at home test at our expense. That was not fun. We were also negative after an email confirmed about an hour later... Thank you Walgreens!

Edited December 8, 2021 by coaster

[mawvkysc]

Good to know. I’m scheduled for Saturday. 

[CruisinNole]

We had a very positive Covid test experience at Walgreens last month also. We plan to use the same Walgreens for our test next month.

[mimi7ccr]

Good to know.  My test at Walgreens is tomorrow at 12:30.  Back in September DH and I both got tested at Walgreens.  I had my negative result in an hour and never did get DH's.  I finally called the Walgreens where we went and talked the rep into running a copy of the results they had received for him so we were able to board, but it was a painful experience to say the least.  Hope I have good luck again tomorrow.

 

[Sunshine3601]

Is it the rapid IDNow test with walgreens?

[radcruiser]

Does the Rapid ID Now test at Walgreens count as a PCR test being required for unvaccinated children?

[voyager70]

Thanks for posting this. We don't cruise until March but I'll get tested at Walgreens.

 

[CarolRoy]

Was there a cost to the test at Walgreens?  Do they email you the results?  We don't have a smart phone only one flip phone between us.  I assume I can get the results on my home computer.  Thanks for any info.

[xpcdoojk]

Yes, they email the results, no there was no cost in my state, it may very.  

[PiperHolliday]

4 hours ago, CruisinNole said:

We had a very positive Covid test experience at Walgreens last month also. We plan to use the same Walgreens for our test next month.

 

Having a very positive covid test experience could be very good or very bad 😂

[Biker19]

9 hours ago, radcruiser said:

Does the Rapid ID Now test at Walgreens count as a PCR test being required for unvaccinated children?

No, that's not a PCR test.

[zekekelso]

I’ve had to take three Covid tests in the last week. All went smooth, but I wouldn’t say I *enjoyed* them. But whatever floats your boat I guess 🙂

Edited December 9, 2021 by zekekelso

[TeachUF352]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

No, that's not a PCR test.

Royal Caribbean website says they accept the IDNOW COVID Test..

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, TeachUF352 said:

Royal Caribbean website says they accept the IDNOW COVID Test..

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go

The site doesn't say it's an accepted PCR test for kids. Reading a bit further elsewhere, the fact that the Walgreens test seems to be a molecular one, seems to indicate it's maybe a PCR test but it's not obvious reading the RCI site.

[mac66]

We used CVS pharmacy for both our pre and post cruise rapid tests. Pre was required, post was because we (wife and I) were in Mexico and Roatan and we both have elderly parents in assisted living facilities.

Edited December 9, 2021 by mac66

[CruisinNole]

11 hours ago, PiperHolliday said:

 

Having a very positive covid test experience could be very good or very bad 😂

There's a big difference between the testing experience and the test results. One was positive for us. The other was fortunately, negative.

[PiperHolliday]

19 minutes ago, CruisinNole said:

There's a big difference between the testing experience and the test results. One was positive for us. The other was fortunately, negative.

 

Yes, I understood. It was a joke...

[radcruiser]

2 hours ago, Biker19 said:

The site doesn't say it's an accepted PCR test for kids. Reading a bit further elsewhere, the fact that the Walgreens test seems to be a molecular one, seems to indicate it's maybe a PCR test but it's not obvious reading the RCI site.

You’re exactly right. That’s what I got out of it too. This really shouldn’t be this hard. I’m wondering if anyone did the ID Now test for their kids this past weekend and had it accepted by RC?

[mimi7ccr]

Excellent experience today at Walgreens for my covid test.  Took the test at drive-in window at 12:30 and got my results by email around 2:00 p.m.  Much better than last time.  

 

[DAVLIB007]

Have used Walgreens ID Now test. it prints out with the wording NAAT test which is accepted by Royal

[little britain]

6 hours ago, mimi7ccr said:

Excellent experience today at Walgreens for my covid test.  Took the test at drive-in window at 12:30 and got my results by email around 2:00 p.m.  Much better than last time.  

 

Did they do the test or did you do it yourself?

Nose only?

[Sunshine3601]

5 hours ago, little britain said:

Did they do the test or did you do it yourself?

Nose only?

You do the test yourself at the drive thru window.  The person walks you thru the process, monitors you.  Yes it's the nose swab.

[CarolRoy]

I just went online for Walgreen's.  They show 3 tests - Binax NOW, ID NOW, and PCR.  Which test or tests would RC accept?

[publicpersona]

43 minutes ago, CarolRoy said:

I just went online for Walgreen's.  They show 3 tests - Binax NOW, ID NOW, and PCR.  Which test or tests would RC accept?

 

It depends on several factors such as vaccination status and where you are sailing from. They do a pretty good job of explaining here

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-need-an-rt-pcr-test-before-i-cruise-where-should-i-go

 

Not all Walgreens do all three of the tests you mention. There are no Walgreens with Binax NOW in my state at all. For us, the best option is the monitored Binax NOW test available from emed.com (I believe only a pack of 6) or optum.com (packs of 2, 3, or 6).  Two warnings: Don't order the kits until 3-4 weeks before the cruise. Also, have a spare in case you mess up a test, drop the card on the floor, touch the test card with the bottle nozzle, the bottle is dried out, etc.

Edited December 10, 2021 by publicpersona

[mawvkysc]

Just got my results, negative!. Took right about an hour to get them. My only problem was the employee seemed totally bothered to be helping us.  She explained the procedure very quickly, was annoyed with questions I had during the process and did not watch me while I did it. Fortunately I’ve had previous tests done by a professional and knew how far back to go. It hurts. Many people could easily fudge the result at this Walgreens though.