Covid testing

If you will have internet access you can buy rapid tests at Walgreens and do it wherever you are. If sailing from Miami there will be many places you can get rapid test done. Do a google search

We used the Binax at home test. Can be done anywhere. Basically a zoom call with them. They walk you through the process. $70.00 for 2 tests. Ordered them online and they were at the house in 2 days. Test had an expiration date of dec 12.

Some friends are seeing last minute cancelations at both Walgreens and CVS. They've also been changing their appointment windows from 2 weeks to 3 days, so need to watch closely. Rumor is they run out of tests. Major airports offer the testing and some airports have multiple locations both inside and outside of security.

Hope you won't need those backups, but its a good plan, and that what it takes sometimes to jump thru this hoop.

My next cruise is 35 days out. We were able to get test appointments at local medical services drive through med test station. Friends who cruise, found the place, and found the testing to be very easy. We'll also make backups at the Walgreens test sites 2 weeks out. If those bomb out, we have the proctored home tests to fall back on. Triple redundancy.

If you are out of state the best option for getting a rapid antigen test is probably calling the walk in clinics and urgent cares around where you will be staying. Most of them will let you walk in take the test and then wait 15 minutes for the results. Most places I called did not take appointments. They will also probably charge you because they said Covid test done for travel usually does not fall under your insurance. I hope this helps!!

Thanks OGW....the main problem was that holiday...normally, we'd be home, get the test 2 days before.... there's a local place ready willing and able, drive down the day before, stay one nite in a motel, and board the next day...case closed...no can do this time.....hence the "epic quest".....

The thought occurs, that as in the OP's case, MANY folks are elsewhere for several days (or longer) prior to their cruise, regardless of the actual cruise port, and therefore have virtually the same problem. No difference....you gotta put in the time, as big a PITA as it may be.....thanks again!

Great info Yankee47. It will not be easy but sounds like yankee has a lot of work in this and has knocked out some of the kinks and bumps. Hope his info helps you.

Yes we understand. You didn't say where you were cruising from, but I assume it isn't FL...or even if it is, you apparently are far from home...which is why I attempted in my response to explain the "process" of locating places to do the test...WE'RE going to be far from home on OUR cruise, which is also after a holiday, which affects the ability to get a test within their timeframe. I don't know where you'll be in FL, but I'm sure theres TONS of places that will fill the bill...Suggest you sit at a pc (which is easier) or a smart phone and do your research..keep a pen and paper handy, you'll find yourself scribbling alot of names and phone numbers down. Again, don't be surprised if it takes awhile. Frankly, I'll bet real money theres a bunch of folks who can't be bothered, or think its too much of a hassle...in THAT case reread the cruiselines cancellation policy.

Short of doing it online, which is acceptable (IF you don't screw it up in the process)...I wonder if theres a niche industry where someone in a van drives to your address, administers the test, does the processing and texts you the result...sounds line a million dollar niche industry to me....Hey ABLEMAN...you up for this? You can do the swab part heheheheheh..........

Again...GOOD LUCK! (it would be nice to hear how you made out...)

We are going to be in fl a week prior to our embarkation.