Observed Covid Test for DCL - Recommendations

[jeffporfirio]

Hello.
Can anyone recommend an observed Covid Test service using the Health Canada tests (green boxes)?
DCL is requiring Covid testing (on the passenger's dime) for sailings after July 30th.
There a bunch of options from a Google serach, with prices from CAD20 to 50, but was wondering if anyone had any recommendations?
Thanks

 

[CanucksRock]

I have listed some in the sticky FAQ

 

[Tanooki]

We are going on a RCCL cruise and also need to test before embarkation. Since we’re going to Disneyland before the cruise, we chose to test remotely. We’ve booked through Lifecenters (dot ca) as they were recommended by other Canadians on a cruise forum. We test on Jyly 27th so can’t speak about the experience yet, but it looks good from the comments

 

[kuhltiffany]

We’ve used Azova many times, only $20

 

[Canadian Girl]

We’ve used Azova many times, only $20

I looked at their web-site and they say they can only guarantee results will be accepted if the kit was purchased in the US. We are doing the Alaska cruise do need something more definite.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Weird, we used it in FL both to get on an NCL cruise and to fly home

 

[Minniemoo15]

Our experience with Switch Health was great. They’ll send you the test rather than use the green box ones, but at $35 CAD per test and 24/7 service I thought it was a fair price.

 

[FinnFogg]

We were die hard SWITCH fans, but used Life Centres yesterday for our Monday sailing (recommended by someone else on these boards). $20 for first person, $5 for each additional person (up to 4 total), then it’s starts over. Use any of the free tests that are available at pharmacies in BC. Our family of 5 cost $55 ($20+$5+$5+$5+&20). Super easy and lovely telehealth rep. Had certificates emailed to us within 30 minutes. Loaded them to Safe Passages and were cleared to sail by midnight last night.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Great to hear re Lifecenters as we are booked with them for our August cruise!

 

[Minniemoo15]

We were die hard SWITCH fans, but used Life Centres yesterday for our Monday sailing (recommended by someone else on these boards). $20 for first person, $5 for each additional person (up to 4 total), then it’s starts over. Use any of the free tests that are available at pharmacies in BC. Our family of 5 cost $55 ($20+$5+$5+$5+&20). Super easy and lovely telehealth rep. Had certificates emailed to us within 30 minutes. Loaded them to Safe Passages and were cleared to sail by midnight last night.

Thanks for your review … we are a party of 7 cruising in January .. if testing is still in place I think we will try them! I have so many free tests still.

 

[bcwife76]

Great to hear re Lifecenters as we are booked with them for our August cruise!

We used them this weekend as well and it was flawless! $35 for all 4 of us (using the free green box tests) is way better than the $120 per person we had to pay last November to go to Disneyland

 

[bbrnca]

Can we use the free green boxes to get safe passage with DCL or does it have to be PCR tests ? Very curious as booked DCL Wish for March 2023 and been reading a lot of stuff that has made my head spin.

 

[bcwife76]

Can we use the free green boxes to get safe passage with DCL or does it have to be PCR tests ? Very curious as booked DCL Wish for March 2023 and been reading a lot of stuff that has made my head spin.

Yes you can. We used the free boxes of green tests with Life Centers before taking our Disney Wonder cruise last week, no issue. Let's hope by March 2023 testing is a thing of the past

 

[gilsan]

Yes you can. We used the free boxes of green tests with Life Centers before taking our Disney Wonder cruise last week, no issue. Let's hope by March 2023 testing is a thing of the past

We just booked with Life Centers for our cruise this week. They are so much cheaper. I am glad to see they were accepted with no problem

 

[chimo2u]

YIPEE!! We sail October 9, and soooo happy! While we sail RCCL, we don't have to test anymore for cruises departing the USA 9 days or less if vaccinated. Unvaccinated can still sail with a test, either a proctored test OR a At home test ( like the free one from the government) will be acceptable up to 3 days prior to sailing. this saves us soooo much stress! I am so happy the protocols changed

 

[CanucksRock]

I cruise Friday. Alaska. I'll be giving Lifecenters a try. Booked 2 people for $25. (We have the Rapid Response tests) …I wish testing had been lifted, but at the same time, I’m happy it hasn’t been yet because I really don’t want to get Covid (again) before my Disney trip in 2 1/2 weeks.

 

[CanucksRock]

I passed my test today, I get to cruise Friday! I used Lifecentres - with the Rapid Response kit. It was only $25 for two of us.

 

[MotherKnowsBest]

Quick question about Lifecentres about timing. Do they stay on the call the whole time (swabbing and the 15 minute wait time) and then look at the tests via webcam or do they just watch the swabbing and you upload pics of the tests after the 15 minutes? Just trying to figure out timing as the appointment only says 15 minutes for 4 people and I figure just the ID verification and swabbing, etc. could take that long.

TIA

 

[bcwife76]

Quick question about Lifecentres about timing. Do they stay on the call the whole time (swabbing and the 15 minute wait time) and then look at the tests via webcam or do they just watch the swabbing and you upload pics of the tests after the 15 minutes? Just trying to figure out timing as the appointment only says 15 minutes for 4 people and I figure just the ID verification and swabbing, etc. could take that long.

TIA

So they watch you swab and put the stuff in the tester, etc. Then they mute the call and watch the test but you can walk away, you just need to have your phone or computer on that call for the 15 minutes. Once the time is up they will end the call and email you the results right away.

 

[MotherKnowsBest]

[So they watch you swab and put the stuff in the tester, etc. Then they mute the call and watch the test but you can walk away, you just need to have your phone or computer on that call for the 15 minutes. Once the time is up they will end the call and email you the results right away.]

Ok, cool. Thanks! We test tomorrow so just getting prepared.

ETA, whoops messed up the quote