Express COVID testing for cruise ship passengers. How to get tested fast for your "FIT-TO-CRUISE" certificate and avoid the queues

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Latest update: 07 October 2022

On this page you can book your pre-boarding FIT-TO-CRUISE COVID for cruises leaving Barcelona or any other cruise in Spain. Many tourists fly into Barcelona and spend some time here before leaving on a cruise either from Barcelona or another port in Spain such as Tarragona or Valencia etc. The testing centre we outline is based in Barcelona city centre just 5 minutes walk from the Sagrada Familia.

The terms "FIT-TO-CRUISE" or "FIT-TO-SAIL" are names given for the pre-boarding COVID negative certificates required before you can embark on a cruise leaving from Barcelona however the certificates are also valid for any cruise leaving from any cruise port in Spain.

The testing centre on this page issues certificates which meet the EU Health and Security Commission (HSSC) regulations. This is important because you may need your COVID certificate for other purposes e.g. to comply with your travel insurance policy or to issue a Document of Recovery etc. It is important to realise that self-tests or video-supervised self tests that are promoted by some cruise ships are not recongized by the EU HSSC as valid COVID tests and therefore those types of tests could potentially invalidate your travel insurance or lead to other unexpected problems due to them being invalid by EU HSSC. Self-tests may be a little more convenient to have but may cause you issues if you need to make a claim on your insurance for COVID related issues. This is why we only recommend having a COVID test undertaken by a licensed medical professional from an accredited medical centre that meets EU HSSC regulations like the testing centre we have outlined on this page. In this way you can feel sure your COVID certificate can be used as valid evidence of your COVID status in many different legal situations where you may need it.

We highly recommend you read all the content on this page before making your reservation because there are essential details which are useful for you to know. However, if you just want to jump directly to make your reservation you can do so by clicking the blue button we have provided throughout this page.

The testing centre is open 7 days a week (including Sundays) and issues FIT-TO-CRUISE test certificates 15 minutes after you have been tested.

The Express COVID testing centre on this page is certified to issue FIT-TO-CRUISE covid certificates that meet the requirements of any cruise leaving Barcelona or any cruise port in Spain. The test certificates are issued from an accredited COVID testing lab with an CLIA numbers which meets the requirements of all cruise ships leaving Barcelona and all other cruise ports in Spain. To have FIT-TO-CRUISE certificates that are valid for all cruise ports in Spain is important because many cruise travellers fly into Barcelona to spend a few days then make their way to cruise ports in other Spanish cities for example Tarragona or Valencia etc.

Unlike many COVID testing services the testing services we outline on this page can only be booked in advanced. The Express COVID testing centre for cruise passengers only works by pre-arranged appointment ensuring there is no waiting time for your test. There is a reservation form at the foot of this page you can use to make your booking for your cruise pre-boarding COVID test.

Nobody likes waiting in a queue on their holidays and the Express COVID testing centre service aims to make your test as quickly as possible so that you can get on and enjoy your holiday. The Express COVID testing service for cruise passengers issues travel COVID "FIT-TO-SAIL" certificates for all the cruise liners leaving from Barcelona and all other cruise ports in Spain.

The three options for express testing for cruise passengers are as follows:

1. Express COVID testing clinic near the Sagrada Familia.
2. COVID testing in your hotel / apartment.
3. COVID testing with a transfer from the airport included.

COVID "FIT-TO-CRUISE" / "FIT-TO-SAIL" Travel Certificates

The typical problems associated with getting a pre-boarding COVID test certificate

Unfortunately most COVID testing centres recommended by cruises generally do not work by appointment and there can be thousands of cruise ship passengers wanting to get tested at the same time leading to long hours waiting in a queue.

We have been informed by cruise passengers that there have been long queues of up to 2 hours to 3 hours and, these queues can be without shade in the hot Spanish sun.

The express COVID testing clinic that issuses "FIT-TO-CRUISE" travel certificates for cruise passengers. The clinic is 5 minutes walk from the Sagrada Familia

You should also consider that waiting in a crowded space in a queue for a long time exposes you to the possibility of catching the virus if someone in that queue is COVID positive. You might want to avoid taking unnecessary risks just before boarding a cruise. It would be a shame to get COVID while waiting in a queue to get tested for COVID and that your cruise would end earlier than expected if you were to test positive shortly after.

To help alleviate the problem of queuing for a COVID test, we have identified an express testing centre for cruise passents that only works by appointment and is certified to issue COVID FIT-TO-CRUISE travel certificates for all of the main cruise liners. The test certificates are issued from an accredited testing lab with a CLIA number which meets the requirements for all cruise ships leaving Barcelona and all other cruise ports in Spain. Each cruise liner has its specific requirements for the COVID test certificate, and this testing centre issues certificates for all of them, including the following cruises to name a few:

AIDA, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Club Med, Costa, CroisiEurope, Cunard, Disney, Fred Olsen, Grand Circle Line, Hapag Lloyd, Holland America, Marella, MSC, Nicko, Norwegian, Oceania, P&O, Phoenix Reisen, Ponant, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Saga, Scenic Group, Seabourn, Sea Cloud, Silversea, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

When you make your reservation using the form below make sure to include the name of your cruise ship. In addition when you arrive at the express COVID testing centre also make sure to give them the name of your cruise. The testing centre will ensure to issue you with the correct COVID test certificate and paperwork that meets the requirements for your your specific cruise.

It is essential that you only turn up at the time that was appointed to you by the testing centre. If you attempt to turn up at any other time the testing centre will not test you. Appointments for testing are necessary to ensure the testing centre can give you the express testing service with no waiting times. If your plans change then you should contact the testing centre to reschedule or cancel your appointment.

The express COVID testing centre is just 5 minutes walk from Barcelona's No.1 tourist attraction - the Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's no.1 tourist attraction and only 5 minutes walk from the testing centre.

The express COVID testing centre we recommend for cruise ship passengers is situated just 5 minutes walk from Barcelona's no.1 tourist attraction – Gaudi's famous Sagrada Familia, which is the giant basilica in Barcelona. This specialist testing centre can issue your COVID cruise travel certificate 15 minutes after being tested. The testing centre only works by appointment. Therefore, there is no queuing and no waiting time. The test will take about 5 minutes, and the certificate will be issued within 15 minutes. Suppose you don't want to wait 15 minutes for your certificate to be issued. In that case, you could visit the Sagrada Familia immediately after your test and then pick up your certificate after your visit. The testing centre will also email you the certificate to have your cruise COVID negative certificate in both printed and digital form. We recommend that you get tested first then go to the Sagrada Familia rather than the other way around. The reason for getting tested first is because you have a fixed appointment time. If you do not turn up at your appointed time you may not be able to get tested. Therefore we recommend getting tested first then visit the Sagrada Familia so that you are not rushing your visit to make your test appointment time.

Why you need to book your test in advance

You must book your COVID test as early as possible to ensure that your time slot is available. This express COVID testing centre restrict the number of patients tested for a particular time slot. Once that time slot is full you would not be able to book with them for that time slot. Restricting testing to a maximum quantity of people per time slot is how the test centre can ensure they can offer an express testing service giving you your results as quickly as possible.

Price of a "FIT-TO-SAIL" antigen test

Antigen test price without our special discount: €39.95

Special discount with our voucher: €5.00

Antigen test price with our special discount applied: €34.95

You discount voucher is sent to you via email when you complete your reservation.

Price of the "FIT-TO-CRUISE" PCR test

You can make your reservation now using the form below and you only pay when you arrive at the testing centre itself.

We have arranged a €5.00 discount off the price of each PCR test with the Express COVID testing centre for cruise passengers. When you fill in and submit the form below to make your booking, you will receive a voucher number via email that you can present at the testing centre to get your discount giving you a discount off the cost of the test.

PCR test results delivered within 3 hours:

Normal PCR test price without our special discount: €150.00

Discount with our voucher: €5.00

PCR test price with our discount voucher applied: €145.00

PCR test results delivered the same day:

Normal PCR test price without our special discount: €130.00

Discount with our voucher: €5.00

PCR test price with our discount voucher applied: €125.00

PCR test results delivered next day:

Normal PCR test price without our special discount: €95.00

Discount with our voucher: €5.00

PCR test price with our discount voucher applied: €90.00

Your discount voucher is sent to you via email when you complete and submit your reservation using the form below.

Opening hours of the testing centre

Monday - Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00

The testing centre is also open on public holidays during the same hours.

Except on the following public holidays, during which the testing centre will be closed:

25 December
1 January
6 January

If you want to get tested on these dates, we recommend getting tested the day before or just after. If you need to get tested for travel reasons on these dates, we recommend you carefully check the time frame your destination country requires you to take your test. Depending on your destination country, you will have to take your COVID test within 72, 48 or 24 hours before your flight, enabling you to get tested the day before or the day after the public holidays given above.

EASTER OPENING TIMES (02 April - 10 April 2023): Open as usual.

Make Your Reservation For Your Cruise or Ferry Pre-Boarding COVID test

Complete and submit the form below to make your pre-boarding covid test for your cruise.

Note that the prices shown in the reservation form below are the prices after your discount voucher has been applied. You need to show the voucher on your mobile when you arrive at the clinic for them to find your test appointment and for you to get your discount.

If you´re making a reservation for 2 people or more, you will only need to provide the details of one of you in the booking form below and then select the total number of people who will need a test. E.g. If you´re making a booking for yourself and a friend or yourself and a family member, you will only need to provide your first name, last name, email, passport or ID number and your telephone number, and under “Number of people taking the test”, you select 2 people.

You do not need to make a separate booking for your friends or family members as long as you´ve selected the right number of people under “Number of people taking the test” in the form below. Then when you arrive at the clinic, you will check in with your voucher number and your name, and the reception staff will request the details of the additional persons included in your booking. By booking your COVID test this way, you can be guaranteed that you and your friends or family members will be tested simultaneously. If you fill in the forms separately, you might not get the same appointment time.

How to get a COVID test for your cruise in your hotel or accommodation

Another option to consider is to arrange to have your COVID test in your hotel. You can make a booking by following the link below and a qualified COVID testing nurse will make a visit to your hotel or tourist apartment to perform your test at your desired time. This option is a little more expensive than visiting the testing centre however it can save you time and is a lot more convenient.

The test centres that we have listed on our website issue test certificates valid for cruises and only work with appointments. They can issue your COVID certificates that meet all of the cruise testing requirements for all major cruises that arrive in Barcelona. Just make sure to indicate the name of your cruise you will be embarking on before you get tested.

Click on the buttons below to know more about these test centres. You will also find information about the at home testing service.

Click to learn where to get an antigen test in Barcelona with an appointment and with a valid test certificate to board your cruise

Click to learn where to get a PCR test in Barcelona with an appointment and with a valid test certificate to board your cruise.

Cruise passenger transfer and test service

This service will pick you up in a private vehicle from Barcelona airport (or anywhere in the city), and they will take you directly to the testing centre. You will have your fast-track test, and then they will transfer you to your destination - your cruise or your hotel. This service is the most convenient and efficient for cruise passengers arriving at Barcelona airport. Click on the button below to learn more about the cruise passenger transfer and test service.

Would you recommend a general COVID testing centre to get my cruise COVID test certificate?

We do not recommend that you go to a general COVID test centre to get tested for your cruise, because they may not know the specific testing requirements needed by each cruise liner. In addition many of them only have staff that speak Catalan or Spanish which can make communication difficult. The general COVID test centres of Barcelona generally do not do tests by appointment. This means you could get stuck in a long queue. If, however, you still want to go to your own testing centre then make sure to plan in advance for the possibility of queuing for up to 2 hours in the street, in a long line under the sun. Take water with you and a cap along with sunscreen to protect you from the sun is a good idea.

You should also consider that waiting in a crowded space for a long period of time with others who are all waiting to be tested for COVID potentially exposes you more to the possibility of catching COVID. You might want to avoid taking unnecessary risks just before boarding a cruise.