Can I take a telehealth test at home to satisfy my pre-cruise COVID-19 test requirement?

Telehealth Testing for Cruises Departing from U.S. Ports including San Juan, Puerto Rico

For fully vaccinated guests as young as 5 who are cruising from U.S. ports, we accept self-administered COVID-19 tests taken under live video supervision.

Telehealth self-tests taken at home must meet these requirements:

• Per U.S. CDC guidance, only vaccinated guests may present self-administered telehealth COVID-19 test results at the terminal to satisfy the pre-cruise testing requirement.
• The test must have Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. FDA.
• The self-test process must happen under live supervision on a video call with a telehealth representative.
• The telehealth provider must issue you a result document that includes all the necessary information.
• International guests sailing from the U.S. are able to complete their testing using telehealth test kits, providing the kit has been authorized for use by the U.S. FDA. Telehealth test kits obtained internationally that do not meet this requirement will not be accepted. International guests can arrange to have F.D.A.-approved test kits shipped to the U.S. address where they’ll be staying before their cruise and complete their test prior to departing for the cruise terminal using a U.S. PayPal address to complete the purchase.

Telehealth Testing for Cruises Departing Barbados

For cruises departing from Bridgetown, Barbados, telehealth self-administered COVID-19 tests are not accepted.  For details on testing, visit our Testing Requirements FAQ

Order Your At-Home Test Kit

Royal Caribbean guests that are fully vaccinated can now order at-home antigen test kits, shipped right to your door anywhere in the U.S. Complete your pre-cruise test at home, with live video supervised by an eMed Certified Guide. Get your results in 15 minutes. The tests are available in a pack of two for $69.99 or a pack of three for $99.99, which includes the test kits, expedited shipping, and live virtual visit. ORDER NOW

These telehealth test kits cannot be shipped internationally. However, they are able to be shipped to all U.S. addresses, such as a hotel or other pre-cruise accommodation. International guests can contact the hotel where you will be staying to arrange receipt and storage of your test kit ahead of travel. You can then complete your testing requirement upon arriving in the U.S. and before boarding your cruise. Note that tests kits obtained internationally that have not been authorized for use by the U.S. FDA will not be accepted.

NOTE: These kits do not ship to Puerto Rico.

How Many Tests Should I Purchase?

We strongly recommend purchasing two tests per person just in case you lose or contaminate a part of the test, or have an error during the testing process. However, technically a two or three test pack can be split between members of a traveling party, with one test per person.

By When Should I Order My Kit? 

We recommend ordering your test kit at least one full week before you plan to take your test.

If you're in a pinch, see below to understand if your order will arrive in time.

Can I use the test kit over a holiday like Thanksgiving Day? 

Yes, the eMed Guides are available to supervise your test every day of the year, 24 hours a day.  

Do the Kits Have an Expiration Date? 

The exact expiration date varies depending on the production date for the allotment being shipped at the time of your order. The product description on the online storefront is updated regularly to reflect the most current expiration date for the allotment you are ordering from. Please review the product description prior to placing your order to ensure the current allotment does not expire prior to your intended testing date.

More About the Test Kit 

The Abbott BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test is an FDA-authorized rapid antigen home test that, when combined with eMed Telehealth Service, can be used by fully vaccinated guests as young as 5 years old to fulfill their pre-cruise test requirement. 

Your test kit includes a personal virtual visit with an eMed Certified Guide who will help you properly administer the test and verify the result. Your eMed Labs result report is provided via email and can be printed or displayed on your mobile device on boarding day. 

How It Works

• ORDER YOUR TEST KIT ONLINE: Visit Royal Caribbean’s online storefront, powered by Optum, to order your kit. The test kit ships within the U.S. and arrives in three days or less. 
  
• TEST FROM HOME: Scan the QR code on your test kit box to start your video visit with a Certified Guide. 
  
• GET YOUR RESULT: In 15 minutes, you’ll have a verified test result that you can use to board the ship.