COVID TESTING AT SEATTLE PIER

[Elaine5715]

Has anyone got testing at the pier before boarding because they weren't able to get tested elsewhere?  Can you book last minute, like the day before  boarding?  Is it chaotic or easy?   Strict on arrival time?  Without a car, there are few options for in person testing.  I don't want telemed testing.  

[DogLover]

4 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Has anyone got testing at the pier before boarding because they weren't able to get tested elsewhere?  Can you book last minute, like the day before  boarding?  Is it chaotic or easy?   Strict on arrival time?  Without a car, there are few options for in person testing.  I don't want telemed testing.  

Hey, Elaine. I appreciate your trepidation regarding Telemed testing. That said, it's a super easy process with many videos online to walk you step by step through the process. It's a very efficient, convenient, inexpensive option.

Hope you find a solution that works for you. 🙂

[Eaglecw]

6 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Has anyone got testing at the pier before boarding because they weren't able to get tested elsewhere?  Can you book last minute, like the day before  boarding?  Is it chaotic or easy?   Strict on arrival time?  Without a car, there are few options for in person testing.  I don't want telemed testing.  

Are you staying at a hotel near the airport? If you are I  recommend using Sound Mobile Diagnostics.https://soundmobilediagnostics.com/  He'll come to your hotel and give you the COVID test and give you the required test results. We are using his services again this year. 

[CanWeGoYet?]

When my PCR test at walgreens come back without a result by wednesday (tested monday) for a thursday cruise, I called Carnival to find out what my last ditch options were.  I asked if I could get a test at Smith Cove terminal, I was told no because I needed an appointment and there were no more available appointments for this cruise.  I was able to book an appointment that evening at Carbon health for a rapid test, cost $60 each but that was far less than many other pay for options.   Drove to southcenter mall for the test, they have a tent set up in the parking lot at the southwest portion of the lot.  There were no free options for testing within 100 miles of Seattle, and that had been the case in the previous days as well.  I had the appointment at walgreens because I had booked it days early.  

 

We were the only ones there for the test, they ran it while we waited and we had the printout 15 minutes after an MD did the test.  I really could have done without the stress of dealing with walgreens, I was told the results would be emailed to us in 48 hours or less.  Called several times, told my specimen had been logged but no result available.  They would not tell me any info on my son's specimen even being logged because "they can only check on one specimen per phone call."  By the time I called back, it was past 5PM Eastern time and they were closed for the day.  I never did get any results for either son or me emailed to me.  Whether they could have come up with the results on embarkation day when they were open again is possible, but I was glad to have got a printout the day before & it was definitely worth the cost to be free of the uncertainty.  

 

By the way, for those flying in to Seattle for the cruise / staying near the airport, southcenter mall is not far.  I don't know if you can get there by light rail, but it shouldn't be a bad fare by ride share.

Edited June 12, 2022 by CanWeGoYet?

[Ferry_Watcher]

14 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Has anyone got testing at the pier before boarding because they weren't able to get tested elsewhere?  Can you book last minute, like the day before  boarding?  Is it chaotic or easy?   Strict on arrival time?  Without a car, there are few options for in person testing.  I don't want telemed testing.  

 

Assuming that you are on Carnival, when you arrive at Pier 91 you will get in line with everyone.  Once you enter the Pier 91 Terminal building (after showing your ArriveCan QR code), you will go thru a wellness screening at which point you will let the agent know that you need a Covid test.  You will be escorted over to the testing area, checked in and you will wait for your turn to be given the test.  I think the antigen test is $100, and the PCR test is $150.  You will receive your test results, and I think you will be medically cleared for boarding at the testing area.  You will then head up the escalator to security screening, then to check-in.  Finally, depending on your boarding time, you will either go to the ship, or to the waiting area.

 

It's important to know that even if you have a 10 AM test time, you will not be able to enter the building.  You will still need to stand in line with everyone else.  I think the testing staff uses the appointment system to have an idea of how many people to expect, plus walk-ups and the children too young for the vaccine. 

[Elaine5715]

50 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

Assuming that you are on Carnival, when you arrive at Pier 91 you will get in line with everyone.  Once you enter the Pier 91 Terminal building (after showing your ArriveCan QR code), you will go thru a wellness screening at which point you will let the agent know that you need a Covid test.  You will be escorted over to the testing area, checked in and you will wait for your turn to be given the test.  I think the antigen test is $100, and the PCR test is $150.  You will receive your test results, and I think you will be medically cleared for boarding at the testing area.  You will then head up the escalator to security screening, then to check-in.  Finally, depending on your boarding time, you will either go to the ship, or to the waiting area.

 

It's important to know that even if you have a 10 AM test time, you will not be able to enter the building.  You will still need to stand in line with everyone else.  I think the testing staff uses the appointment system to have an idea of how many people to expect, plus walk-ups and the children too young for the vaccine. 

Yes, Carnival.  My post got moved here.  If I have a 10 am arrival appointment , can I make a test appointment after that if needed? 

[Ferry_Watcher]

5 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Yes, Carnival.  My post got moved here.  If I have a 10 am arrival appointment , can I make a test appointment after that if needed? 

They just take you as you come in line - like first come, first serve.  

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, CanWeGoYet? said:

When my PCR test at walgreens come back without a result by wednesday (tested monday) for a thursday cruise, I called Carnival to find out what my last ditch options were.  I asked if I could get a test at Smith Cove terminal, I was told no because I needed an appointment and there were no more available appointments for this cruise.  I was able to book an appointment that evening at Carbon health for a rapid test, cost $60 each but that was far less than many other pay for options.   Drove to southcenter mall for the test, they have a tent set up in the parking lot at the southwest portion of the lot.  There were no free options for testing within 100 miles of Seattle, and that had been the case in the previous days as well.  I had the appointment at walgreens because I had booked it days early.  

 

We were the only ones there for the test, they ran it while we waited and we had the printout 15 minutes after an MD did the test.  I really could have done without the stress of dealing with walgreens, I was told the results would be emailed to us in 48 hours or less.  Called several times, told my specimen had been logged but no result available.  They would not tell me any info on my son's specimen even being logged because "they can only check on one specimen per phone call."  By the time I called back, it was past 5PM Eastern time and they were closed for the day.  I never did get any results for either son or me emailed to me.  Whether they could have come up with the results on embarkation day when they were open again is possible, but I was glad to have got a printout the day before & it was definitely worth the cost to be free of the uncertainty.  

 

By the way, for those flying in to Seattle for the cruise / staying near the airport, southcenter mall is not far.  I don't know if you can get there by light rail, but it shouldn't be a bad fare by ride share.

I am fine with paying.  Carbon Health Southcenter Mall/230 Strander Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188?  Correct address?  You may be my hero!

[Elaine5715]

1 minute ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

They just take you as you come in line - like first come, first serve.  

Thank you.  Can I ask you about OnPoint Testing? They have a location easy walking distance from my hotel but the reviews are either "fabulous" or "scam!"

[CanWeGoYet?]

4 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

I am fine with paying.  Carbon Health Southcenter Mall/230 Strander Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188?  Correct address?  You may be my hero!

That was it.  Couldn't have been quicker or easier.  Well, except for the drive from Queen Anne but even that didn't take any longer than dealing with in Seattle traffic.  

 

Travel Clearance - Tukwila, WA230 Strander Blvd Tukwila
WA 98188
(253) 656 4807
Billing Inquiries: (415) 200 2133  Download the Carbon Health app on the iTunes Store or Google Play.

[Elaine5715]

3 minutes ago, CanWeGoYet? said:

That was it.  Couldn't have been quicker or easier.  Well, except for the drive from Queen Anne but even that didn't take any longer than dealing with in Seattle traffic.  

 

Travel Clearance - Tukwila, WA230 Strander Blvd Tukwila
WA 98188
(253) 656 4807
Billing Inquiries: (415) 200 2133  Download the Carbon Health app on the iTunes Store or Google Play.

It is official!  You are my hero!  Seriously! I have been researching and reading reviews and every time I think I find a testing site, the reviews are awful, appointments are few, they only offer 2 day results or require a car.  THANK YOU!!!!!!

PS Next to the Cheesecake Factory?  

[CanWeGoYet?]

That's what they told me, cheesecake factory.  Only I had no idea where cheesecake factory was at this mall, and it covers a lot of ground.  It's in the southwest corner of the parking lot, I believe Sears was the biggest in mall store I saw labeled passing by.  Just look for the huge temporary tent in the parking lot, across from the mall with a bunch of orange traffic cones.   In the middle of a bunch of parking spots.  My son saw it, I was so busy looking for cheesecake factory I could have driven right by it.  There is a trailer next to it also.  

 

Glad if I was able to help.  I was so mad after planning carefully & then having the whole thing fall through right before the cruise I could have spit nails.  The testing and arriveCan etc just added a whole dimension to boarding a cruise.

 

Edited June 12, 2022 by CanWeGoYet?

[Elaine5715]

13 minutes ago, CanWeGoYet? said:

That's what they told me, cheesecake factory.  Only I had no idea where cheesecake factory was at this mall, and it covers a lot of ground.  It's in the southwest corner of the parking lot, I believe Sears was the biggest in mall store I saw labeled passing by.  Just look for the huge temporary tent in the parking lot, across from the mall with a bunch of orange traffic cones.   In the middle of a bunch of parking spots.  My son saw it, I was so busy looking for cheesecake factory I could have driven right by it.  There is a trailer next to it also.  

 

Glad if I was able to help.  I was so mad after planning carefully & then having the whole thing fall through right before the cruise I could have spit nails.  The testing and arriveCan etc just added a whole dimension to boarding a cruise.

 

The worse for testing is when you are unfamiliar with the city and who you can trust. I will be ready for an adult beverage at the Cheesecake Factory when I get that paper in my hand.  

[Glaciers]

There’s no need to get to Tukwila if you’re staying downtown. Curative has many sites that are closer. We used their Seattle Center location and had our results back within 2 hours. Entered our insurance info and it was free.

https://book.curative.com/search?fbclid=IwAR3m6hOWEoKPT4Z_H7GGp94LxDnvd-o09CUD5MSc0BGTkN6MSY7UiYwrc5Q#9/47.6144/-122.3447

[Elaine5715]

53 minutes ago, Glaciers said:

There’s no need to get to Tukwila if you’re staying downtown. Curative has many sites that are closer. We used their Seattle Center location and had our results back within 2 hours. Entered our insurance info and it was free.

https://book.curative.com/search?fbclid=IwAR3m6hOWEoKPT4Z_H7GGp94LxDnvd-o09CUD5MSc0BGTkN6MSY7UiYwrc5Q#9/47.6144/-122.3447

I am staying by SeaTac so Tukwila is great.  Thank you.  I appreciate hearing more good reviews

[Eaglecw]

Be careful with Curative testing. We each got a bill for $300 for our so called FREE test in September. We also had problems with Wal-greens.

[IMNOFUN]

On 6/12/2022 at 6:16 AM, CanWeGoYet? said:

When my PCR test at walgreens come back without a result by wednesday (tested monday) for a thursday cruise, I called Carnival to find out what my last ditch options were.  I asked if I could get a test at Smith Cove terminal, I was told no because I needed an appointment and there were no more available appointments for this cruise.  I was able to book an appointment that evening at Carbon health for a rapid test, cost $60 each but that was far less than many other pay for options.   Drove to southcenter mall for the test, they have a tent set up in the parking lot at the southwest portion of the lot.  There were no free options for testing within 100 miles of Seattle, and that had been the case in the previous days as well.  I had the appointment at walgreens because I had booked it days early.  

 

We were the only ones there for the test, they ran it while we waited and we had the printout 15 minutes after an MD did the test.  I really could have done without the stress of dealing with walgreens, I was told the results would be emailed to us in 48 hours or less.  Called several times, told my specimen had been logged but no result available.  They would not tell me any info on my son's specimen even being logged because "they can only check on one specimen per phone call."  By the time I called back, it was past 5PM Eastern time and they were closed for the day.  I never did get any results for either son or me emailed to me.  Whether they could have come up with the results on embarkation day when they were open again is possible, but I was glad to have got a printout the day before & it was definitely worth the cost to be free of the uncertainty.  

 

By the way, for those flying in to Seattle for the cruise / staying near the airport, southcenter mall is not far.  I don't know if you can get there by light rail, but it shouldn't be a bad fare by ride share.

 

We're planning on using Walgreen's but I have little confidence in them getting anything right. I went without a couple of my on-going meds for over a week from their mail-order. Actually, I had to cancel them (not very easy) and have my doctor prescribe to a different pharmacy. I'm dropping them from my list of pharmacies. Unfortunately, most of the pharms are low-staffed or just don't give a flying f. I wonder if you can buy BP meds on the street? Some enterprising dealers should steal shipments of BP, cholesterol, diabetes, and other much-needed drugs and selling them at the corner of 34th and Vine.*

 

*Reference to old song "Love Potion Number 9" for you young'uns.

[Ferry_Watcher]

2 hours ago, IMNOFUN said:

I wonder if you can buy BP meds on the street? Some enterprising dealers should steal shipments of BP, cholesterol, diabetes, and other much-needed drugs and selling them at the corner of 34th and Vine.*

 

What the heck?

[IMNOFUN]

On 6/16/2022 at 3:35 PM, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

What the heck?

Sorry. Went down a side path in regard to testing via pharmacies. I've been having a lot of pharmacy angst lately. 

 

[Janet&Carl]

On 6/12/2022 at 11:51 PM, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

Assuming that you are on Carnival, when you arrive at Pier 91 you will get in line with everyone.  Once you enter the Pier 91 Terminal building (after showing your ArriveCan QR code), you will go thru a wellness screening at which point you will let the agent know that you need a Covid test. 

 

 

This is something new that I havent heard I needed.   What is an " ArriveCan QR code" ???  I am testing in australia pre flight - will get my results emailed to me while flying (hopefully) So I will be within the 2/3 day time frame for pre covid testing to board.  Didn't know I needed anything else. 

[Ferry_Watcher]

 

Hi @Janet&Carl

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/arrivecan.html

 

Everyone entering Canada must fill out these registration due to Covid.  I am not sure  where your ship will be sailing from for your Alaska cruise (US, Vancouver, BC or ?), but if you are entering Canada, you must complete the ArriveCan registration 72 hours before entering Canada, OR if you are sailing to Alaska from a US city (like Seattle), ArriveCan must be completed 72 hours before you sail.  All Alaska bound ships sailing from US ports must make a stop in a foreign port, so that port is Victoria, British Columbia.

 

Confusing, i know, but ArriveCan is required by the Canadian Gov't.

[Janet&Carl]

Thanks that clears up why I havent heard of it .  We do not travel to Canada on our cruise.

[Ferry_Watcher]

The repositioning cruise on Splendor from Seattle to Sydney?

[ronswanson]

Telemed testing is cheap and easy. Rapid tests are available everywhere now and cheap. 
 

We booked a “use your own test” with OnPoint. $10/person. The experience was very good and we had results about a minute after the zoom call ended. All you need is a phone, computer, or tablet with the Zoom app, and some rapid tests 

 

[Danmar48]

Are these telemed tests accepted on all cruise ships?. Sounds so simple! Thanks for the info!