Stupid testing question for first cruise since before shutdown

[PRINCESS Sweet Pea]

Sorry!  Another question that we should know the answer.

 

If you plan to do the Princess Covid testing at the port.  (FLL)

How is this done?  Do they have it set-up for this at each terminal?

Do you go to a location at port before you go to your ship's terminal?

 

We would plan on going to CVS before travel, if they will still do the PCR testing.  I am thinking that there is the 3-day window for U.S. (non Canada) cruises.  And that this doesn't count each our before boarding/departure.

We did do CVS once, earlier in the pandemic.  And we actually got the results back quickly.

[PRINCESS Sweet Pea]

We went to the website link on the Princess website, but do not see any listing there for our ship.  I don't think we even got far enough to enter the boarding departure date.

Maybe we are too far in advance?

Does anyone know how far in advance they might open up these appointments?

[Mike45LC]

I don't know anything about your situation, but for me, it was very simple to take a proctored at-home test three days before the cruise.  it is a do-it-yourself test that you do using face-time or a similar video conferencing application.  You are monitored by a medical technician who certifies the test and the results.

 

I had a Saturday departure.  Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday night/ Thursday morning, I did the test.  That gave me time to cancel my pre-cruise travel plans if necessary.  It was "easy-peasy".   By testing in advance, I wasn't worrying about testing at the pier and about unexpected test results.

 

Good luck!

 

[SargassoPirate]

I did a cruise with Princess from Port Everglades in January and arranged for my test to be done at the pier.  Check out the FAQs on Princess' website and there will be a link to make your reservation.

 

Easy beezy.

[Odonpeg]

5 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

I don't know anything about your situation, but for me, it was very simple to take a proctored at-home test three days before the cruise.  it is a do-it-yourself test that you do using face-time or a similar video conferencing application.  You are monitored by a medical technician who certifies the test and the results.

 

 

How does one find such a proctor? Is there a website where it can be scheduled?

[Mike45LC]

Google Abbott BinexNow (I think I got it right) and the Optum Store website will be one of the top hits.  
 

I think I found it through the Princess website the first time.  
 

You do not have to schedule the test. Order it and do NOT open the package.  There is an App to download per the instructions on the OUTSIDE of the package.  Log in when you are ready to do the test and a proctor will appear on-line.  He/she will inspect the package and you just follow his/her instructions.

[AF-1]

I thought Princess testing requirements were as follows:

Antigen test: 48 hours prior

PCR test: 72 hours prior

Is this correct?

[AF-1]

12 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

I don't know anything about your situation, but for me, it was very simple to take a proctored at-home test three days before the cruise.  it is a do-it-yourself test that you do using face-time or a similar video conferencing application.  You are monitored by a medical technician who certifies the test and the results.

 

I had a Saturday departure.  Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday night/ Thursday morning, I did the test.  That gave me time to cancel my pre-cruise travel plans if necessary.  It was "easy-peasy".   By testing in advance, I wasn't worrying about testing at the pier and about unexpected test results.

 

Good luck!

 

Hi,  doesn't Princess require a 48 hour rule for testing; or 72 hours is you get a PCR test.  What type of test did you take three days prior?  Thanks.  Trying to figure out when I have to take my test prior to a Oct cruise

[d9704011]

9 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Hi,  doesn't Princess require a 48 hour rule for testing; or 72 hours is you get a PCR test.  What type of test did you take three days prior?  Thanks.  Trying to figure out when I have to take my test prior to a Oct cruise

Nope.  For a fully vaccinated passenger, an antigen test two days before the cruise is fine.  So, for a Saturday departure, the two days means beginning anytime Thursday, which is what this person did. A PCR is three days, but you can't get a proctored one of those.

[Glopop11]

I have an appointment with Rapid Test and Trace online for my July cruise. They have a list of home tests approved which they watch you use and then email the result immediately. $20

[lx200gps]

24 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

I thought Princess testing requirements were as follows:

Antigen test: 48 hours prior

PCR test: 72 hours prior

Is this correct?

The testing requirements vary quite a bit according to where the ship sails from and where it visits, but in general the timing is expressed in days, not hours. Currently for ships sailing from the US, if one is fully vaxed and boosted, it's three days for an Antigen or PCR test, though if the ship visits Canada, it's 2 days.  The full list is right on the Princess site:

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/vaccine-testing-requirements/

[AF-1]

thank you everyone for your feedback.  Since I will already be in New York City prior to my cruise; I will buy the proctored test kit and have someone proctor the test from our hotel room.  I think Binax sells the proctored online tests.  Again thanks for your feedback.

[MJC]

There are Youtube videos of people doing the Binax home test. We found it helpful to watch the steps and get their tips before we did ours at home. Here is an example, but there are several to choose from. 

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DKWmUU8o3edA&ved=2ahUKEwjq9_CAjo_5AhVnjIkEHXsaC00QwqsBegQIEhAE&usg=AOvVaw1j56LArp9HEvNEVpgTcSB2

[memoak]

4 hours ago, AF-1 said:

I thought Princess testing requirements were as follows:

Antigen test: 48 hours prior

PCR test: 72 hours prior

Is this correct?

The 72 hour rule is for cruises sailing from Canada. Sailings from the US are 3 days for PCR

[nini]

No more guessing. Here is the Princess link. If you are "up to date", you can get the antigen or PCR 3 days ahead.

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/vaccine-testing-requirements/

[AF-1]

nini thats great;  thank you for sharing.  I can still take the antigen online test at home; then fly to NYC the next day and still be within the 3 day window.  Cheers

[Shelly97060]

On 7/22/2022 at 9:37 PM, Odonpeg said:

How does one find such a proctor? Is there a website where it can be scheduled?

One option is  Emed.com  we use them to order and take tests. Proctors available 24x7 p, no appointment needed and results are back within a few minutes of completing the test.

[GottaLuvCruising]

On 7/23/2022 at 7:36 AM, AF-1 said:

thank you everyone for your feedback.  Since I will already be in New York City prior to my cruise; I will buy the proctored test kit and have someone proctor the test from our hotel room.  I think Binax sells the proctored online tests.  Again thanks for your feedback.

We used the (free) test mailed by government.  We scheduled proctoring for $14.99pp for the day prior to embarkation.  Worked out just fine.  OnPoint Testing - Rapid Antigen and PCR Testing Specialists (onpoint-testing.com)

FYI - we brought extra tests just in case.  Disembarked Alaska northbound last Saturday. Tested negative Tuesday.  Flew home Wednesday.  Since then three of the four of us have tested positive.  Hubby is the last man standing so I'm exiled to camper to keep him safe.  

But proctoring worked fine.  

[kaycee17]

On 7/23/2022 at 7:05 AM, Glopop11 said:

I have an appointment with Rapid Test and Trace online for my July cruise. They have a list of home tests approved which they watch you use and then email the result immediately. $20

How was your experience with Rapid Trace? I am thinking of using them. I also saw One-Point, but they have pretty bad reviews.

[nini]

On 7/24/2022 at 11:25 PM, AF-1 said:

nini thats great;  thank you for sharing.  I can still take the antigen online test at home; then fly to NYC the next day and still be within the 3 day window.  Cheers

You are very welcome. it was extremely stressful for us to get on the plane and test in a foreign country. Hindsight... But my crystal ball was out of order. It is so much nicer to test at home first before boarding a plane. We will be able to test at home in September before driving to the port the day before embarkation.

[Sprocket]

Lots of companies now to choose from we booked our tests through lifecenters.ca $20 each or 2 for $25.  Found the information in the Canadian Cruisers forum.

[disneyochem]

23 hours ago, kaycee17 said:

How was your experience with Rapid Trace? I am thinking of using them. I also saw One-Point, but they have pretty bad reviews.

We used Rapid Trace last month before boarding in Vancouver.  It was a very positive experience.  We’ve booked them again for our August cruise.

 

Have used/are using the free qovernment-supplied tests.

[AF-1]

I plan on using the Binax Now test we received from the govt.  I can use them for Onpoint website;  I just pay for the video proctor.  

[Glopop11]

I just did the proctored test with Rapid Trace. It was easy and stress free. I got bumped out of the room and had to login a second time and the proctor waited for me. She sent my email cert, made sure I received it and had me verify the info before she left the room. Easy Peasy!