FYI - Covid Rapid test reservations at CVM Medical in YVR

[mmouse37]

I can't find where I saw that, I had it written down. Maybe it is changing. I am sure we will learn more from the May Alaska passengers. I hope DCL takes really good care of them since they are the first to go through this in Canada!

The Hawaii to Vancouver cruised ended Monday and there were many issues at the testing center run by Inspire. My friend tested there and people were yelling as there were no printouts of results which they were told there would be. Long lines, and just general chaos...some missed their flight. Hopefully they get the bugs worked out. The testing center was a short walk (with your luggage) through the tunnel to the Fairmont across the street. If taking DCL transportation you would have to then return through the tunnel back to the port to meet your bus.

We also debarked on Monday in Vancouver but made appointments at the Bon Voyage Medical testing center right in the lobby of the Vancouver Airport Fairmont. It was very well run and there were many people there testing from the ship who were not staying at the Fairmont. Anyone can book there. We had our results in about an hour (they tell you up to 3 hours for results). We flew Air Canada the next day and it was so convenient testing and staying there. Some people just showed up without appointments and they did have to wait but fit them in. The Fairmont is right above the check in area for International flights. We walked just a few feet to check in for Air Canada and United. Our tests cost $56.71 US for an antigen test.

Oh and BTW....no one ever asked for our ArriveCAN info or scanned the code when we debarked the ship. We just had to show DCL that we had the code during port check in 10 days earlier.

MJ

 

[iannovich]

We did our testing using a proctored home test up on deck 10 right there in Vancouver. We found the quietest spot we could and used the webcam on my laptop. We had made an appointment before we left, and it cost about $25 per person. I was a little nervous that we might night find a quiet spot, or that we might run into an issue and be forced to find another testing solution last minute, but it went smoothly and we had a fantastic view while we chatted with the proctor. After we had our (negative) results, we disembarked and headed to the train station to get to YVR. On the way out we passed a veeerrrrryyy long line for the Inspire testing and we were glad we took the chance.

Nobody in Canada asked to see our ArriveCan QR. We were asked to show it at the port in Honolulu, but they didn't scan it. They just wanted to be sure we knew it was mandatory.

 

[Doingitagain]

We did our testing using a proctored home test up on deck 10 right there in Vancouver. We found the quietest spot we could and used the webcam on my laptop. We had made an appointment before we left, and it cost about $25 per person. I was a little nervous that we might night find a quiet spot, or that we might run into an issue and be forced to find another testing solution last minute, but it went smoothly and we had a fantastic view while we chatted with the proctor. After we had our (negative) results, we disembarked and headed to the train station to get to YVR. On the way out we passed a veeerrrrryyy long line for the Inspire testing and we were glad we took the chance.

Nobody in Canada asked to see our ArriveCan QR. We were asked to show it at the port in Honolulu, but they didn't scan it. They just wanted to be sure we knew it was mandatory.

Did you use a cellular hotspot, DCL WiFi, or port WIFI? What brand of test did you use?

Thank you for sharing your experience!

 

[iannovich]

Did you use a cellular hotspot, DCL WiFi, or port WIFI? What brand of test did you use?

Thank you for sharing your experience!

We used some BinaxNow tests we already had, but the site we used (OnPoint) would have accepted pretty much any widely available home test. They just asked ahead for the brand to be sure it was approved and wanted to see that the box was unopened when we joined the Zoom call with them.

I didn't want to risk the DCL wifi. It did look like there was Port Wifi available, but just to be safe I tethered to my iPhone as a hotspot. I would have preferred to use our cabin, but we had an inside (sideways) stateroom and I didn't think the signal would have been strong enough in there, so we looked around the ship for a good spot. A verandah probably would have been fine.

Since only Express Walk Off was cleared to disembark at that point, there were still lots of guests on board. We almost did it in the little area by the elevators outside Palo, there wasn't anyone there and the music was a little more subdued and instrumental. It would have worked, but we decided to take a quick look around deck 10 to see how loud the music was out there. It seemed like it was going to be a little too loud out there (and the music was a lot more of Desecendants/High School Musical/Sail a Wave/on deck excitement variety) but just as we passed the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique entrance on the Port side it got much quieter and we were able to use the polished wooden bench and table there to set up.

 

[Doingitagain]

We used some BinaxNow tests we already had, but the site we used (OnPoint) would have accepted pretty much any widely available home test. They just asked ahead for the brand to be sure it was approved and wanted to see that the box was unopened when we joined the Zoom call with them.

I didn't want to risk the DCL wifi. It did look like there was Port Wifi available, but just to be safe I tethered to my iPhone as a hotspot. I would have preferred to use our cabin, but we had an inside (sideways) stateroom and I didn't think the signal would have been strong enough in there, so we looked around the ship for a good spot. A verandah probably would have been fine.

Since only Express Walk Off was cleared to disembark at that point, there were still lots of guests on board. We almost did it in the little area by the elevators outside Palo, there wasn't anyone there and the music was a little more subdued and instrumental. It would have worked, but we decided to take a quick look around deck 10 to see how loud the music was out there. It seemed like it was going to be a little too loud out there (and the music was a lot more of Desecendants/High School Musical/Sail a Wave/on deck excitement variety) but just as we passed the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique entrance on the Port side it got much quieter and we were able to use the polished wooden bench and table there to set up.

Great info, thank you. We are planning to do something similar, except use express walkoff so we have more flexibility. We are using DCL transportation to the airport that morning. Express walkoff should get us in one of the first buses.

 

[mullysisters]

I have a stash, too, but unfortunately they are the Self Tests and I need to get the ones that can be proctored.

I thought it was the same test but just someone watches you “self test” over the internet?

 

[iannovich]

I thought it was the same test but just someone watches you “self test” over the internet?

There are some testing companies that will go ahead and watch you take their own branded tests over the internet and certify the results. And there are a few companies that will let you 'bring your own' home test, as long as it is on their approved list. The company we used just had us call into a Zoom meeting. They watch you take the test and then you show your results to the webcam and they screenshot it for their records.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I thought it was the same test but just someone watches you “self test” over the internet?

It depends on the testing service being used to proctor the test. EMed requires the proctored version of the BinaxNOW tests (available from eMed as a six-pack for $150 + tax and shipping). The poster used OnPoint (https://onpoint-testing.com/ ). They offer a bring your own test service where they will proctor the test you supply, so long as it is one from an approved vendor.

 

[iannovich]

It depends on the testing service being used to proctor the test. EMed requires the proctored version of the BinaxNOW tests (available from eMed as a six-pack for $150 + tax and shipping). The poster used OnPoint (https://onpoint-testing.com/ ). They offer a bring your own test service where they will proctor the test you supply, so long as it is one from an approved vendor.

Forgot to mention that the OnPoint folks allowed us do up to 2 people on a single appointment. We each had to pay the $24, but only one appointment was necessary.

 

[lovingeire]

We used some BinaxNow tests we already had, but the site we used (OnPoint) would have accepted pretty much any widely available home test. They just asked ahead for the brand to be sure it was approved and wanted to see that the box was unopened when we joined the Zoom call with them.

I didn't want to risk the DCL wifi. It did look like there was Port Wifi available, but just to be safe I tethered to my iPhone as a hotspot. I would have preferred to use our cabin, but we had an inside (sideways) stateroom and I didn't think the signal would have been strong enough in there, so we looked around the ship for a good spot. A verandah probably would have been fine.

Since only Express Walk Off was cleared to disembark at that point, there were still lots of guests on board. We almost did it in the little area by the elevators outside Palo, there wasn't anyone there and the music was a little more subdued and instrumental. It would have worked, but we decided to take a quick look around deck 10 to see how loud the music was out there. It seemed like it was going to be a little too loud out there (and the music was a lot more of Desecendants/High School Musical/Sail a Wave/on deck excitement variety) but just as we passed the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique entrance on the Port side it got much quieter and we were able to use the polished wooden bench and table there to set up.

Thank you for sharing your experience with this company. I reached out to them to see if the iHealth tests can be used. We'll have to test before flying out to Canada for the cruise, and then to return to the States. I bought a 6- pack from eMed, and liked the flexibility of being able to log in anytime without an appointment, however, there are four of us and we could stand to use the tests we have at home to mitigate the costs a little if possible. I tried doing their chat service, but kept getting kicked out of the queue. If we can use those we'll still have two extra for just in case moments and use the iHealth tests one way and the Binnax ones the other direction.

 

[Calantha]

Based on everyone's feedback, we've decided to go with optum/emed testing. I cancelled the appointments at the airport and ordered the tests today. Hopefully (just like buying a sled means it doesn't snow), this means the US will drop testing. That's a thing right?

 

[Doingitagain]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this company. I reached out to them to see if the iHealth tests can be used. We'll have to test before flying out to Canada for the cruise, and then to return to the States. I bought a 6- pack from eMed, and liked the flexibility of being able to log in anytime without an appointment, however, there are four of us and we could stand to use the tests we have at home to mitigate the costs a little if possible. I tried doing their chat service, but kept getting kicked out of the queue. If we can use those we'll still have two extra for just in case moments and use the iHealth tests one way and the Binnax ones the other direction.

Could you let us know what you find out about iHealth? we had the same question!

 

[mocodis]

Hawaii to Vancouver cruise, We had safe passage appointments at 9:45 in Vancouver. We disembarked at 9 and was able to get our luggage wait in line and up the elevator to get tested by 10am. no paper results, they would only post results on the safe passage website. Got an email 30 min after the testing indicating results were available on safe passage website.

 

[jldcherry]

Forgot to mention that the OnPoint folks allowed us do up to 2 people on a single appointment. We each had to pay the $24, but only one appointment was necessary.

Did they require that the test box be unopened? We scheduled testing through on point and plan to use tests sent by the government, but there are 5 tests in each box. We need to test 4 people and have 2 appointments set up.

 

[iannovich]

Did they require that the test box be unopened? We scheduled testing through on point and plan to use tests sent by the government, but there are 5 tests in each box. We need to test 4 people and have 2 appointments set up.

The instructions called for the kit to be 'unopened'. I had seen reports that when they say unopened, they're referring to the specific testing stuff, and not the box itself, but I didn't want to take the chance so we left the box unopened and opened it while we were being observed. Our proctor did not ask us to show them the seals on the test kit, so it didn't seem to be a sticking point, but another proctor might have.

 

[dcassetta]

I know this is not quite the right thread, but know some of you have experienced this already.

What was the pre-cruise testing like? We are not staying at the port, should we just take a cab to the Fairmount and start there?

 

[Mathmagicland]

Forgot to mention that the OnPoint folks allowed us do up to 2 people on a single appointment. We each had to pay the $24, but only one appointment was necessary.

Thank you for posting about this company. There are two of us so I’ve decided to go with them next week. I called them today, to get clarity on which home test kits could be used. She said any FDA-authorized home test kit was accepted by them; I can use up some of these free Covid tests I’ve received! She also said separate email addresses were not needed to get the test results; both could use the same email address.

Also, they seemed to have lowered their pricing for now as the proctored telemedicine test today is $14.99 per person.

Edit to add - she also said same day appointments were possible, but the earliest next available for today when I called was five & a half hours out from my call time. So it may not always be same day immediately.

 

[iannovich]

Edit to add - she also said same day appointments were possible, but the earliest next available for today when I called was five & a half hours out from my call time. So it may not always be same day immediately.

We’re going to use them again for a weird Wish/Dream back to back. Glad to hear the price has dropped some.

Our original appointment time was 10:20 am but that morning we were able to move it up to an available 9:15. We were glad to be able to grab that earlier appointment day of.

Hope it works out well for you!

 

[Deaconfan]

I second the recommendation for Bon Voyage Medical at the Fairmont Airport. We were staying overnight at the Fairmont before flying home following the May 16 cruise and decided to make a reservation there for the testing. Well organized, friendly, and very fast. Results back in under 30 minutes without paying an expedited fee for results. The line in the terminal for the other site was quite long.

 

[randumb0]

Did anyone have success with Onpoint testing?