Cruise travel is slowly returning to normal, thanks to widespread vaccinations and a testing regimen that requires passengers to get a negative COVID-19 test result before they step on board the ship.
But it's not always easy to find a reliable, reputable testing service that meets industry standards and provides a fast turnaround time, given the requirement for tests to be conducted within 48 to 72 hours of embarkation.
Enter 1 Stop Test.
Run by board-certified physicians and experienced travel professionals, 1 Stop Test offers an end-to-end solution for cruise travelers who need a test, for travel agencies that need a go-to testing solution for their clients, and potentially for cruise lines looking to step up their game in their continuing effort to protect guests against the coronavirus and its virulent delta variant.
“A lot of passengers don’t know where to turn, and a lot of agents are having issues obtaining COVID tests, especially if they're in a rural area,” said Diane Fish, CEO of 1 Stop Test and a travel agent who owns the TwinFish Interline travel agency in the Ft. Lauderdale area.
1 Stop Test is currently focused on providing rapid COVID tests for cruises departing ports in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. The services comes to your home or office, collects the sample with an easy-to-use nasal swab, and provides test results within 12 to 24 hours at its CDC-certified lab.
“We are boots on the ground in Miami to help the cruiser, international traveler, our community and the cruise lines provide the best service quickly and efficencty when COVID testing is needed three days or less before your departure," Fish said.
Some cruise lines require a negative PCR test result — which 1 Stop Test provides with a 99.9% accuracy rate and a 12- to 24-hour turnaround time — while others rely on a 10-minute antigen rapid test that can show if you're positive for the virus almost immediately.
For those who are departing from a different port or want to take the test earlier, 1 Stop Test lets you order a test over the Internet, giving you the option to send in your sample for testing via an one-day delivery service.
Low test costs, fast turnaround times
Fish called its prices the best in the industry:
Rapid antigen tests
- 2 tests $50
- 6 tests $145
- 10 tests $230
PCR tests
- $75 with insurance
- $130 without insurance
The virtual doctor visits are fast, convenient, reliable and at your home, Fish said. VIP concierge is available, and clients can speak with a licensed health care professional available 24/7. For travel groups, or even entire ships, 1 Stop Test has licensed doctors on call and medical facilities that can provide provide hundreds of PCR tests for COVID (all variants) per sailing and turn the results around in as little as 12-24 hours.
Fish said 1 Stop Test provides the following:
- On-site or in-home testing with a health care professional
- Ability to speak with a health care professional 24 hours a day under the service.
- Rapid Antigen Testing in 10-15 minutes
- Fast PCR testing with a 12- to 24-hour turnaround time or sooner if needed.
- The service provide the report to travel for all negative tests, which passengers then provide to the cruise line
- On-site contact tracing if needed
The 1Stop Test team consists of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics and other credentialed medical staff who are accessible 24/7. Its medical director is Dr. Naseh Nawabi. an urgent care medicine specialist with 15 years of experience, including in the detection, prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
For more information:
- Website: 1stoptest.com
- Phone: 1-954-903-1648
