PCR test coming home, 72 hrs exactly?

[Timon]

Just wondering how exact that 72 hours thing is?

Flight is at 4:30pm, prefer to get the test as close to the 72 hr mark in order to have test results in time but the testing schedules only up to 3:45pm. The wording says 72 before flight time. I am assuming this is departure time. It says PCR NAAT results expected in 1-2 days. If I do it 3 days prior, at 3:45pm, will they accept it? Or just do it next morning and hope that we get the results in time?

I hate this crap…they expect us to get these tests done, but they are hard to find, too expensive or hard to time with results,

 

[soccerra]

Hi There..
The test just has to be done in a 72 Hour "Window". So if your flight is at 4:30pm you cant have the test "Scheduled" for any earlier then 3 days Prior to 4:30pm, if you get it done at 3:45pm then they will more then likely deny you boarding. If it were me Id get it done that next morning, that still gives you at least a 48+ hours to get the results back on a "Free Test",but have a backup plan. If your going to Orlando or to Anaheim (Just assuming), both have Paid tests where you can get the results fairly quickly (1-4 hours) if the free test fails you
If you need help finding paid tests just go back a few posts on the forum, plenty of info there depending on where you are going.

 

[Timon]

Hi There..
The test just has to be done in a 72 Hour "Window". So if your flight is at 4:30pm you cant have the test "Scheduled" for any earlier then 3 days Prior to 4:30pm, if you get it done at 3:45pm then they will more then likely deny you boarding. If it were me Id get it done that next morning, that still gives you at least a 48+ hours to get the results back on a "Free Test",but have a backup plan. If your going to Orlando or to Anaheim (Just assuming), both have Paid tests where you can get the results fairly quickly (1-4 hours) if the free test fails you
If you need help finding paid tests just go back a few posts on the forum, plenty of info there depending on where you are going.

Thanks, that’s what I figured. I will schedule it for the morning then. We will be in Galveston for our Wonder cruise. Houston airport does have the rapid pcr but it’s $200 usd each!

 

[Caseheidi]

I would check with where you are arriving. I know some countries want it to be 72 hours of arrival. I have heard of situations where flights were delayed and by the time they landed they were past the 7w hours, and were denied entry into the country. They actually had to fly back to where they came from, retest and then turn around and fly again.

 

[SirDuff]

I would check with where you are arriving. I know some countries want it to be 72 hours of arrival. I have heard of situations where flights were delayed and by the time they landed they were past the 7w hours, and were denied entry into the country. They actually had to fly back to where they came from, retest and then turn around and fly again.

I’ve never heard that - can you provide links?

Canada (which is where the OP is flying into) specifically says it is based on the flights scheduled arrival.

 

[bcwife76]

What about the do it yourself test kit from Switch health? Although they are currently on back order right now I know because I'm on the wait-list

 

[damo]

What about the do it yourself test kit from Switch health? Although they are currently on back order right now I know because I'm on the wait-list

You and the rest of the country!

 

[Timon]

I would check with where you are arriving. I know some countries want it to be 72 hours of arrival. I have heard of situations where flights were delayed and by the time they landed they were past the 7w hours, and were denied entry into the country. They actually had to fly back to where they came from, retest and then turn around and fly again.

I am arriving into Canada

The government website says 72 hrs before departure time, I would imagine if the flight is delayed, they would be lenient. I just flew back from MCO/MIA/ATL and they checked my PCR test at check-in, in Miami and again at the gate in Atlanta, not when boarding. This is why our government needs to get rid of these testing requirements! UGH!

What about the do it yourself test kit from Switch health? Although they are currently on back order right now I know because I'm on the wait-list

I am hoping not to spend a crap ton of money.

This is what I’m talking about! They want us to do all these tests but it’s hard and pricey to find them! My friend in Ohio gets free antigen tests at her local library! She’s bringing me a few on this trip, I am testing us when we disembark, just for easy of mind since we can’t test until the following day.

You and the rest of the country!

What a pain!

 

[bcwife76]

You and the rest of the country!

Yes I can imagine that wait list is quite long.

 

[lozzypop]

Thanks, that’s what I figured. I will schedule it for the morning then. We will be in Galveston for our Wonder cruise. Houston airport does have the rapid pcr but it’s $200 usd each!

No comments on the PCR tests, but I have been reading your DCL trip reports for years and so happy that you and your family are getting to do your usual Christmas cruise this year! I know how important it is to you. I will be on tenterhooks waiting for your 2021 trip report.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

No comments on the PCR tests, but I have been reading your DCL trip reports for years and so happy that you and your family are getting to do your usual Christmas cruise this year! I know how important it is to you. I will be on tenterhooks waiting for your 2021 trip report.

Me too

 

[marty3d]

I am arriving into Canada

The government website says 72 hrs before departure time, I would imagine if the flight is delayed, they would be lenient. I just flew back from MCO/MIA/ATL and they checked my PCR test at check-in, in Miami and again at the gate in Atlanta, not when boarding. This is why our government needs to get rid of these testing requirements! UGH!

It's 72 hours before your flight to Canada - so if you are connecting in a US city (let's say MIA-ATL-YYZ), it needs to be no more than 72 hours prior to the ATL-YYZ segment. If the flight is delayed you'll still be ok. If it's cancelled and you're rescheduled to the next day, likely need a new test.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

It's 72 hours before your flight to Canada - so if you are connecting in a US city (let's say MIA-ATL-YYZ), it needs to be no more than 72 hours prior to the ATL-YYZ segment. If the flight is delayed you'll still be ok. If it's cancelled and you're rescheduled to the next day, likely need a new test.

Could they make this ANY MORE difficult

 

[lorenni]

Could they make this ANY MORE difficult

I flew back from Mexico to Canada in October and it wasn’t that bad. All the PCR test providers say 48 hours for results to cover their butts but really they usually have results much faster - I had mine in 12 hours.

I would say to have as much info as you can printed out in advance. The biggest hassle was constantly logging in to my phone to access the vaccine proof, tests, ArriveCAN app, etc. And I was flying alone! (Also I got a new phone this year and it has facial recognition which I’m sure was terrific before we all had masks on )

We are traveling to Hawaii next month and I’ll be ready this time with everything printed out.

I don’t know whether you are traveling with anyone who is unvaccinated (or under 12) but of course more to do there with additional testing on the return trip home and the quarantine (in fact, if not by name) for the kids. Our kiddo has one shot now and will get his second shot in Hawaii but will need to isolate over his school break.

 

[Timon]

No comments on the PCR tests, but I have been reading your DCL trip reports for years and so happy that you and your family are getting to do your usual Christmas cruise this year! I know how important it is to you. I will be on tenterhooks waiting for your 2021 trip report.

Thanks We are sooooo looking forward to it!

Me too

Thanks!

It's been awhile since I've written a report but I'm looking forward to it.

It's 72 hours before your flight to Canada - so if you are connecting in a US city (let's say MIA-ATL-YYZ), it needs to be no more than 72 hours prior to the ATL-YYZ segment. If the flight is delayed you'll still be ok. If it's cancelled and you're rescheduled to the next day, likely need a new test.

Thanks! We are flying direct from IAH.

I flew back from Mexico to Canada in October and it wasn’t that bad. All the PCR test providers say 48 hours for results to cover their butts but really they usually have results much faster - I had mine in 12 hours.

I would say to have as much info as you can printed out in advance. The biggest hassle was constantly logging in to my phone to access the vaccine proof, tests, ArriveCAN app, etc. And I was flying alone! (Also I got a new phone this year and it has facial recognition which I’m sure was terrific before we all had masks on )

We are traveling to Hawaii next month and I’ll be ready this time with everything printed out.

I don’t know whether you are traveling with anyone who is unvaccinated (or under 12) but of course more to do there with additional testing on the return trip home and the quarantine (in fact, if not by name) for the kids. Our kiddo has one shot now and will get his second shot in Hawaii but will need to isolate over his school break.

We are all vaxxed

We won't have access to a printer but I will just do what I did for my Florida trip a few weeks ago, screenshot everything and then put them in my favourites.