Celebrity Covid test

[pooh/tigger]

We were going to be tested at SynergyDX in FLL but they are low on supplies so no guarantee they would have the ability to test us before our trip. So, we've decided to order the Celebrity at home test. 

First, how do we learn what the expiration dates are? Our cruise is Feb 5th. 

Second, they are short on supplies too, should we order it now with a month to go to insure we get it? We have to order 2 tests of 2. 

 

Thank you everyone. 

[TeeRick]

Go to the very top thread on the Celebrity board.  Options for COVID Test Pre=Cruise.  A lot of information there.

[cruisestitch]

Go ahead and order them.  Printed expiration dates have been extended. You should be good to go.

[pooh/tigger]

Thank you both. Appreciate the help

[jelayne]

We ordered our tests last week from eMed who also sells the tests.  We received them 2 days later.  The expiration date is 11-21-22.  eMed sells a package of 6 tests which will cover us for our February, April and if needed October cruises.

[AbbyCruiser45]

Either order a backup or have a back up plan. Recently we ordered 5 kits for 5 people and one of them was invalid (no liquid in the testing kit). We had to scramble to find a test, lesson learned. 

[jfpt89a]

As Jelayne said we got ours this week with Expiration day Nov 2022.

[DCPIV]

I'd go ahead and order them this close.  It sounds like the tests are going out fairly quickly, but there have been a couple stories about mistakes with shipping and receiving damaged tests.  I'd give yourself at least 2 weeks, but now also is a good time.

 

You shouldn't have to worry about expiration.  All the recent tests showing up for folks have plenty of time left on them for an early February cruise.

[teacherman]

We ordered on NY Day from Optum.  Should receive them today or tomorrow.  WE have a test scheduled for Jan 17.  These are for "emergency" back-up.

[CruiserFromSC]

Also, when you order, it will tell you when they will expire.  

[pooh/tigger]

2 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Either order a backup or have a back up plan. Recently we ordered 5 kits for 5 people and one of them was invalid (no liquid in the testing kit). We had to scramble to find a test, lesson learned. 

Did you find out there was no liquid when you went to take the test or can you see if there is liquid in them when they arrive?

[Bead Pirate]

DO NOT open the box until proctor tells you to... otherwise test will be invalid

[CHEZMARYLOU]

There seems to be more liquid in a bottle than is needed.  Wonder if the 2nd person taking the test could use the liquid from the first test if theirs is dry.

 

Maybe since these are new batches there will not be a problem with no liquid.

[pooh/tigger]

2 hours ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

Either order a backup or have a back up plan. Recently we ordered 5 kits for 5 people and one of them was invalid (no liquid in the testing kit). We had to scramble to find a test, lesson learned. 

Did you order each package for each person or just ordered them all in one order? 

[jelayne]

The tests are sold in packages.  I believe Optum sells a package of 3 and a package of 5.  eMed only  sells a package of 6.

The first time we ordered a package of 6 from eMed for 4 people so we would have backup tests.  We didn't need the extras and they expired last month.

 

[DCPIV]

9 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

There seems to be more liquid in a bottle than is needed.  Wonder if the 2nd person taking the test could use the liquid from the first test if theirs is dry.

 

I don't recall which thread it was, but someone reported that they were not allowed to do that.

[Fly and Sail]

These tests have been blanket extended but the two tests I ordered are outside the new expiration date of the tests as well. Optum refuses to exchange them so I disputed the transaction with Amex.

[AbbyCruiser45]

3 hours ago, pooh/tigger said:

Did you find out there was no liquid when you went to take the test or can you see if there is liquid in them when they arrive?

As others have said, you cannot open the test kit until you are taking the test with the proctor. Because of this, we did not see there was no liquid until actively taking the test. 

[AbbyCruiser45]

3 hours ago, pooh/tigger said:

Did you order each package for each person or just ordered them all in one order? 

One person ordered them all. One pack of 2 and one pack of 3. Everyone was close by so we just distributed them to all 5. 

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, pooh/tigger said:

Did you find out there was no liquid when you went to take the test or can you see if there is liquid in them when they arrive?

 

3 hours ago, pooh/tigger said:

Did you order each package for each person or just ordered them all in one order? 

 

FYI: all of this information and far more has been posted in the testing option thread pinned to the top of this forum and in the many other threads discussing these tests.  You will even see videos of folks taking them.  Just do a search for "BinaxNow," "Optum," "eMed."  Google too.  

 

Good luck!

[DragonflyCruiser]

We recently had mild cases of Omicron.  We tested positive.  We can continue to test positive for the next 3-6 months.  Please keep this in mind if you have had Covid and plan to cruise soon.  They do have a provision for this with your Dr’s letter, but no idea if that is difficult to have it accepted when boarding.  I’m too nervous to try it.

Edited January 5, 2022 by DragonflyCruiser

[stevenr597]

As long as you can do the test before the “extended” expiration date, no problem.  I would suggest ordering an extra test, in case a mistake is made.