Confusing Covid testing policies

[fwdpost]

After about seven hours on the phone with MSC reps, I am ready to give up. Three said the rapid NAAT Covid test was sufficient to present at boarding, and four said it was not. Some suggested a rapid antigen test, but  the closest is nearly 100 miles away in Orlando and of course, costs $49 each, so the drive is 90 minutes each way and I have bad eyes and Florida has taken away my driver's license.  There  are other tests available nearby but they take 48 hours or more to process and MSC demands that any Bahamas cruise (May 29 YC DIVINA in this case) requires the test be taken two days prior boarding, but no more than that. If I take one of these tests two days ahead I will not get the results emailed to me until the day I cruise (if Lucky) and can't just show the email, etc. to MSC, because they require the official paper document. To add to this frustration, unvaccinated may take their test three days in advance, which gives them plenty of time to get results, so MSC appears to be punishing the vaccinated vs. the not vaccinated.

[1kaper]

NAAT is considered more accurate than an antigen test.  It is a type of PCR test.  I cannot imagine it would not be acceptable. 

 

[Morgsmom]

@fwdpost  Since you are in FL you can get a rapid at CVS or Walgreens with results in an hour.  Both of those are valid.  Used last month on Divina

[fwdpost]

14 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

@fwdpost  Since you are in FL you can get a rapid at CVS or Walgreens with results in an hour.  Both of those are valid.  Used last month on Divina

MSC says that one-hour result Walgreens test -  NAAT - is not acceptable for Bahamas Divina cruise because only PCR and Antigen are mentioned on their website. There is nobody to talk to except poor connections who quote the web page. We originally signed up for it, but then cancelled when we were told by various MSC reps it was not acceptable. Tomorrow my wife will drive back and forth to Orlando for rapid antigen test there (nearest one) and we already registered and spent $49 each.

[deliver42]

We just got off the Seashore last week, and both of us had the Walgreens NAAT test. No problem at all. The last people you want to listen to are the reps at the call center. They are totally clueless.

[Two Wheels Only]

5 hours ago, fwdpost said:

MSC says that one-hour result Walgreens test -  NAAT - is not acceptable for Bahamas Divina cruise because only PCR and Antigen are mentioned on their website.

 

LINK

 

Tests must be taken with an accredited test provider, such as a drugstore chain, diagnostic lab, or accredited at-home telehealth provider. Guests will be required to show their negative test results upon arriving at the pier. The results can be printed out or can be presented on your phone, such as the email result from your test provider. Test results will need to clearly show the type of test (Antigen, RT-PCR, or NAAT), testing location/provider’s name, a negative result, the guest’s name, and the date and time the test was taken. Costs associated with this test are the guests' responsibility.

 

We used Walgreens (red dot on the site) and it was fine. We're using the same in June.

[fwdpost]

Wasted three and a half hours driving to Orlando for rapid Antigent. What a loss of time and effort when I had Walgreen's appointment set for NAAT, but cancelled because  of advice from MSC including someone called Diggs - described as "cruise concierge."

[deliver42]

We also used Walgreen's NAAT test two weeks ago, and it was fine.