Cruise Transfer and Antigen Test Package in Barcelona

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Latest update: 07 October 2022

On this page you´ll find information about a Cruise Transfer and Antigen Test package specifically designed for the needs of cruise passengers in Barcelona by a government authorized COVID testing centre of Barcelona. This package has been designed specifically for Cruise passengers that need a COVID test plus a transfer and offers a fast and efficient service that can save you half a day trying to solve this out yourself. The entire service typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to have the transfer, test, your results and final transfer to your destination.

The COVID certificates issued by the testing centre on this page and required for boarding a cruise are referred to as "FIT-TO-SAIL" or "FIT-TO-CRUISE". However, this testing centre can also issue travel certificates for airline travel called "FIT-TO-FLY" and COVID travel certificates for any destination country in the World.

For cruise travellers whose cruise ends in Barcelona and who need a COVID test to fly back to their country, the package includes a private transfer in a premium Mercedes vehicle from the cruise port directly to the COVID test centre, an antigen test performed by qualified medical professional, an antigen test certificate delivered within 15 minutes and a private transfer in the same vehicle from the test centre to your accommodation in Barcelona or directly to Barcelona Airport.

For cruise travellers who cruise starts in Barcelona and who need a COVID test to embark on the cruise, the package includes a private transfer in a premium Mercedes vehicle from Barcelona Airport to the testing facility, an antigen test performed by qualified medical professional, an antigen test certificate delivered within 15 minutes and a private transfer in the same vehicle from the test centre to your accommodation in Barcelona or directly to Barcelona Cruise Port.

A cruise docked at Barcelona Cruise Port

This page will walk you through the Cruise Transfer and Test package and cover the following:

1. Cruise Transfer and Antigen Test Package options from Barcelona Cruise Port and Barcelona Airport
2. Services included within the Cruise Transfer and Test Package
3. Why you should consider the Cruise Transfer and Test Package
4. Operating hours for the Cruise Transfer and Test Package
5. When to make your reservation for your Cruise Transfer and Antigen Package
6. Vehicles used for the transfers included in the Package
7. Getting your antigen test at the test centre
8. Antigen nasal and saliva test details and performance
9. Covid antigen test certificate delivery time
10. The importance of indicating the number and size of your luggage when booking the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package
11. The importance of indicating if you´ll need baby or child seats when booking the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package
12. Additional details

On this page we also provide links to view the prices and book your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test package. If you want to book your Cruise Package, you´ll need to click on the blue buttons provided on this page. Then you´ll need to fill out a booking form with the date you want to have your transfers and an antigen test arranged for you, your cruise details and personal details. Your booking request will be sent to the testing centre. A voucher with detailed information on the meeting point at Barcelona Cruise Port or at Barcelona Airport and on testing procedure will be emailed to you. The testing centre will also send you a confirmation email along with a secure payment link for you to pay for your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test package. Payment in advance is required to ensure you'll be at the meeting point for your arrival transfer, where your personal driver will be waiting for you with a Mercedes premium private vehicle. Your booking will not be confirmed until you have made your payment to confirm your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Package reservation.

1. Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package options from Barcelona Cruise Port and Barcelona Airport

The package includes 4 different options in premium Mercedes vehicles:

Option 1: Pick up at your cruise terminal + transfer to the COVID test centre + antigen test with COVID test certificate delivered in 15 minutes + transfer to your accommodation in Barcelona
This option is for you if:

• your cruise ends in Barcelona
  
• you´re staying a night in Barcelona before flying back home
  
• you need to take a COVID test for your flight back home

Option 2: Pick up at your cruise terminal + transfer to the COVID test centre + antigen test with COVID test certificate delivered in 15 minutes + transfer to Barcelona airport
This option is for you if:

• your cruise ends in Barcelona
  
• you´re taking a flight from Barcelona Airport just after your cruise
  
• you need to take a COVID test for your flight back home

The coordinators of the COVID test centre at Barcelona cruise port

Option 3: Pick up at Barcelona Airport + transfer to the COVID test centre + antigen test with COVID test certificate delivered in 15 minutes + transfer to your accommodation in Barcelona
This option is for you if:

• you fly to Barcelona Airport to take a cruise from Barcelona Cruise Port the day after.
  
• you need to take an antigen test for boarding your cruise

Option 4: Pick up at Barcelona Airport + transfer to the test centre + antigen test with COVID test certificate delivered in 15 minutes + transfer to the cruise terminal
This option is for you if:

• you fly to Barcelona Airport to take a cruise from Barcelona Cruise Port the same day
  
• you need to take an antigen test for boarding your cruise
  

2. Services included within the Cruise Transfer and Test Package

Each of the 4 options of the Cruise Transfer and Test Package includes the following services:

• A private driver who speaks English and Spanish waits for you at your arrival cruise terminal at Barcelona cruise port, or at Barcelona Airport, in the Arrivals Hall of your airport terminal.

• At Barcelona cruise port, there will also be a co-ordinator from the test centre waiting for you, together with your driver.

• You are greeted by your driver, and taken to your vehicle.

• Your driver takes you directly to the test centre located in the Sagrada Familia area of Barcelona in a premium Mercedes vehicle.

• Upon arrival at the test centre, you are tested immediately, with no wait time.

• While you are getting tested, the driver will remain in the vehicle with your luggage so that you don't have to worry about carrying your luggage with you inside the test centre.

Your antigen test certificate hand-delivered to you at the clinic

To book your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen test package, you’ll need to click on the blue buttons below. Then you´ll need to fill out a booking form with the date you want to have your transfers and an antigen test arranged for you, your cruise details and personal details. Your booking request will be sent to the testing centre. A voucher with detailed information on the meeting point at Barcelona Cruise Port or at Barcelona Airport and on testing procedure will be emailed to you. The testing centre will also send you a confirmation email along with a secure payment link for you to pay for your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test package. Payment in advance is required to ensure you'll be at the meeting point for your arrival transfer, where your personal driver will be waiting for you with a Mercedes premium private vehicle. Your booking will not be confirmed until you have made your payment to confirm your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Package reservation.

Before clicking on the buttons below, we recommend you first read all the information provided on this page.

3. Why you should consider the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package

1. Your transfers and COVID test are arranged for you by a test centre of Barcelona

This package has been specifically designed by a COVID test centre of Barcelona for the needs of cruise travellers, in conjunction with premium transfer companies. Booking a package that includes everything you need as a cruise traveller from transfers from Barcelona Airport or Cruise Port to your antigen test booked in advance takes away the worry of having to take care of the logistics yourself, especially when it is in a city you´re not familiar with.

2. Communication with the test centre in your own language when booking the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package

The ability to communicate with the testing centre in your own languages is very important.
With the testing centre that offers the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package, you'll be able to book your transfers and COVID test appointment in your own language directly with the testing centre. You will receive your booking confirmation in your own language and can communicate directly with the test centre by email in your own language. Most general purpose testing centres only communicate in Catalan or Spanish and often do not speak any other language. This will make it difficult for you to understand what you're booking or to communicate with them should you have any question or issue. It is important that you can communicate specific details with the testing centre e.g. to get clarifications from the testing centre about details of your test or if you need to make a modification to your test certificate, or even if you need to change your flight or cruise details. The testing centre can communicate with you via email in any of the following languages:

English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian and Chinese.

In addition, the transfer coordinator, the drivers and the medical staff at the test centre all speak at least English and Spanish.

3. Worry-free, time saving and comfort

Having a driver waiting for you at Barcelona Cruise Port or Barcelona Airport is considerably time saving and worry-free. If you were to take a taxi or a bus, you would have to find the taxi rank or the right bus stop, which can be quite stressing when you don´t know where the taxi rank or the right bus stop is and when you don´t speak the language. Then, once you´ve found the taxi rank or the right bus stop, you need to wait for the taxi or bus. Keep in mind that hundreds and even thousand of travellers are disembarking a cruise or planes at the same time, which can result in long lines and wait times at taxi ranks and bus stops. Finally, you´ll need to make sure the taxi driver understands where you´re going or that you´re in the right bus.

With a private transfer, you will have the coordinator from the test centre and your driver waiting for you at the exit of your cruise terminal at Barcelona Cruise Port and your driver waiting for you at the Arrivals Hall at Barcelona Airport. The transfer coordinator and the driver speak English. The vehicles used for the transfers are premium Mercedes vehicles from high quality transfer companies. You will be requested to enter the number of luggage you´ll have with you upon booking so that a vehicle that can fit all your luggage is arranged for you. With a taxi, if you have several suitcases, you might need to have to take two taxis for all your luggage to fit in.

4. No wait time at the test centre to get your antigen test

The test centre that offers the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package has set up dedicated testing rooms for cruise travellers, to ensure you get tested right after you check in at the test centre, with no wait times.
Most general purpose COVID testing centres do not offer appointments or preferential access and this can mean that you can be in a long queue for several hours to get tested. Working with advance bookings also enable the test centre to plan their staff resources according to the number of tests to be performed and to make sure they always have enough test kits and reagents so that you don't find a closed door when you arrive at the test centre. Not having to wait for a long time to get tested is important when you're on holiday because you'll want to use your time in Barcelona to enjoy the city or you´ll want to get to Barcelona Cruise Port or to Barcelona Airport quickly to board your cruise or flight, In addition, it feels re-assuring to know the medical staff are specifically waiting for you. Test centres that work without appointment mean you will not know for sure that you'll be able to get your test done when you need it in order to be able to travel. Some test centres that don't work by appointment have been known to turn people away once they reach capacity.

5. Antigen test certificates that meet specifications for cruise and flights

The antigen test certificates of the test centre meet the specifications for travel. If you need to get a COVID test certificate to board your cruise or to fly back home, you need to ensure it is valid for travel. If your certificate doesn't meet the requirements of your cruise company or of your country of destination, you will likely have issues when boarding your cruise or your flight. The testing centres we listed in the tables below all issue test certificates valid for travel. If you click on the blue buttons on the comparison tables, you will be able to see specifically the details that will be indicated on your COVID test certificate so that you can double check they meet the requirements of your destination country and avoid any unpleasant surprise at the airport.

6. Receiving your COVID test certificates on time is essential when you're on holiday

If you need an antigen test certificate to board your cruise or flight, you'll need to receive it on time for your trip. The testing centre understands the importance of delivering test certificates on time for travellers taking a cruise or flight. They also ensure to inform you of the actual delivery times of your certificate, and not approximate delivery times that may not be met. When you have a flight to catch or a cruise to board, you don't want to feel anxious because the testing centre is late in sending your COVID test certificate or to miss your flight or cruise and have to reschedule your entire trip because you haven't received your COVID test certificate on time.

7. Test centre registered with the Catalan Health Authority

The testing centre that offers the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package is officially authorized by the Catalan Health authority. This is important because it means the certificates are valid certificates for travel and they meet quality standards set by the Catalan Health authorities. Some test centres may not be officially registered with the Catalan health authorities and therefore their certificates may not be valid for travel.

Before clicking on the buttons below, we recommend you first read all the information provided on this page.

4. Operating hours for the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package

Operating hours of the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package:

Monday - Sunday: 06:00 - 20:00

The service also operates on public holidays during the same hours.

5. When to make your reservation for your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Package

You can make your reservation for your Cruise Traveller Package as far in advance as you like and it is actually best to book well in advance.

This is because the test centre will need to arrange your transfers with their transfer company, and the transfer company will plan their drivers and cars needed based on the reservations they get. The more in advance you book, the better they can plan their resources.

If you´re not able to book well in advance, we recommend you to make your reservation at least 3 days before your arrival date in Barcelona.

Note that reservations made within 24 hours of your arrival date in Barcelona may not be confirmed by the test centre.
You will still be able to get your COVID test at the test centre, but there might be no drivers and vehicles available for your transfers. Therefore you would have to get to the test centre by your own means, which will not be as smooth, worry free and comfortable than when you have premium quality private transfers arranged in advance for picking you up and drop you off at your desired location.

After making your booking, your booking request will be sent to the testing centre. The testing centre will then send you a confirmation email along with a secure payment link for you to pay for your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test package.

The testing centre work 17 hours per day during the following operating hours:
Monday - Sunday: 08:00 - 01:00

It is important that you make your payment through the secure payment link sent by the testing centre as soon as possible. Your booking will not be confirmed until you have made your payment to confirm your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Package reservation.

Before clicking on the buttons below, we recommend you first read all the information provided on this page.

6. Vehicles used for the transfers included in the Cruise Traveller Package

All transfers included in the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package are done in premium Mercedes vehicles, and the transfers are private transfers, meaning that you will not be sharing the vehicle with other passengers.

Depending on the number of people in your group and of the number and size of your luggage, your transfers will be done in a Mercedes S class car, in a Mercedes V class minivan or in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus.

A Mercedes S class car is a premium class car, with 5 seats in total, including the driver´s seat. Mercedes S class cars are used for transfers of 2 people maximum, if they don´t have more than 2 suitcases and 2 hand luggage in total. More information about the luggage capacity per type of vehicle is given on the booking page to which you´ll be redirected if you click on the blue buttons to book the Package.

A Mercedes V class minivan has 8 seats in total, including the driver´s seat. There are two rows of 3 seats each, plus 1 seat at the front of the vehicle, next to the driver´s seat. The two rows of seats can face each other or not, it depends of the vehicles.

Mercedes V class minivans are generally used for transfers from 2 to 5 people who have a maximum of 6 medium size suitcases and 6 hand luggage in total. More information about the luggage capacity per type of vehicle is given on the booking page to which you´ll be redirected if you click on the buttons to book the Package.

Mercedes Sprinter minibuses have between 15 to 19 seats depending on the type of minibus. Minibuses are generally used for transfers from 5 to 15 people, who have up to 14 medium size suitcases and 15 handbags in total. More information about the luggage capacity per type of vehicle is given on the booking page to which you´ll be redirected if you click on the blue buttons to book the Package.

Mercedes Sprinter minibus with 15 to 19 seats

7. Getting your antigen test at the test centre in the centre of Barcelona

The driver will take you to the COVID test centre located near the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona where the reception staff and the medical staff will be waiting for you.

Upon arrival at the test centre, you will check-in at the reception of the test centre.

The reception of the medical centre where you’ll check in and give your voucher number

You will be given a medical form to fill in with your personal details and sign to authorise the test centre to perform your antigen test. Your personal details indicated on the medical will go on your antigen test certificate, so make sure to carefully check them to make sure they match with your personal details on your passport or on the ID you'll use for your cruise or plane.

You will then be taken to a testing room where your antigen test will be performed by the qualified medical staff of the test centre.

A nasal antigen test performed at a test centre in Barcelona

Before clicking on the buttons below, we recommend you first read all the information provided on this page.

8. Antigen nasal and saliva test details and performance

The test centre performs nasal antigen tests and antigen saliva tests. Upon booking your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package, you will be able to choose to get a nasal antigen test or an antigen saliva test.

Antigen nasal test:
Test name: Panbio COVID-19 AG Rapid test device
Test manufacturer: Abbot Rapid Diagnostics
Sensitivity: 97%
Specificity: 99.4%
Accuracy: 99%

Antigen saliva test:
Test name: Panbio COVID-19 AG Rapid test device
Test manufacturer: Abbot Rapid Diagnostics
Sensitivity: 90.1%
Specificity: 99.3%
Accuracy: 97%

9. Covid antigen test certificate delivery time

Your antigen test certificate will be hand-delivered to you at the testing centre, after you got tested, within the delivery time indicated below. In addition, you will also receive your antigen test certificate to your email address.

Delivery time for certificate after your test: 15 Minutes

You do have to wait for your printed certificate at the test centre if you´re in a hurry or if you simply don´t want to wait as your antigen test certificate will be sent to you by email anyway, within the delivery time period shown above.

Before clicking on the buttons below, we recommend you first read all the information provided on this page.

10. The importance of indicating the number and size of your luggage when booking the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package

When you book your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package, it is extremely important that you indicate the number and size of suitcases you´ll have with you.

The boots of the vehicles can only feet a certain number of suitcases and the number of suitcases that can feet in the boot will depend on the size of your suitcases. It is therefore very important that you provide accurate information regarding the suitcases you´ll have with you when you book your Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package as the vehicle type for your transfers will be arranged based on the number and size of your bags.

In Spain, it is prohibited by law to have suitcases inside the vehicle compartment. All suitcases must be placed in the boot of the vehicle. Therefore if the actual suitcases you have with you do not match the number and size of suitcases you indicated upon booking, there's a good chance that your luggage won't fit in the vehicle.

If your luggage doesn't fit, you will either need to pay for an additional vehicle to come to pick up your luggage, provided there is a vehicle available last minute to come to the cruise port or airport to pick up your luggage, or you will have to take a taxi with the luggage that doesn't fit in your pre-arranged transfer vehicle. This will be extremely inconvenient, costly and will also be a waste of time, so we highly recommend you indicate the right number and size of luggage upon booking or that you contact the test centre after booking if you need to modify the number and size of your luggage.

11. The importance of indicating if you'll need baby or child seats when booking the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package

In Spain, it is mandatory for children whose height is equal to or inferior to 135cm (= 53.14 inches) to use baby or child seats.
Baby and child seats are provided for free. However, it is very important you indicate how many baby or child seats you will need upon booking, as well as the age of the children that will be travelling with you so that your driver has the right child seats for your kids in the vehicle.

Note that the drivers will only carry baby and child seats in the vehicle if you request them upon booking. The drivers do not carry baby and child seats in the vehicles unless you specifically request them.

Before clicking on the buttons below, we recommend you first read all the information provided on this page.

12. Additional information

In what language will we get our COVID test certificates?

Your antigen or PCR test certificates will be in English or Spanish, depending on the language you'll request at the testing centre.

Antigen test certificate hand-delivered at the medical centre and sent to your email

What information will be indicated on the antigen test certificate delivered by the testing centre? 

The antigen test certificate will mention the following information:
• Name, address and contact details of the testing centre
• Your name
• Your passport number
• Your date of birth
• The sample date and time
• The results date and time
• Whether the results of your test are positive or negative
• Test name
• Test manufacturer
• Test description
• Test performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy)

There will also be a QR code on your antigen test certificate that contains the above-mentioned information. The test will be signed by a doctor, and the name of the doctor and his registration number will also show on your certificate.

Can we get a EU digital COVID certificate for our COVID antigen test?

In addition to your antigen test certificate issued by the test centre, you can also request an EU Digital COVID Certificate. This test centre is accredited by the Catalan Health Entity -called Cat Salut - to report your antigen test results to Cat Salut so that you can also get your EU Digital COVID Certificate for your antigen test If you need it.

You can pay a small administration fee directly at the test centre if you want them to:

• report your rapid antigen test results to Cat Salut right after you get your antigen test
• download your EU Digital COVID Certificate from the Cat Salut platform for you
• print out and hand-deliver your EU Digital COVID Certificate to you at the test centre, 15 to 20 minutes after you got tested
• send your EU Digital COVID Certificate to your email address

Administration fee for this service to be paid directly at the testing centre: €10.00

If you're interested in this service, make sure to request it at the testing centre before getting tested.

You will get your EU Digital COVID Certificate in addition to the FIT-TO-FLY and valid for the travel antigen test certificate delivered by the test centre.

The medical centre can issue, download, print out and hand-deliver your EU Digital COVID Certificate for your negative antigen test.

Can we get an antigen certificate issued by an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory? Can I get a copy of the ISO 15189 accreditation of the laboratory?

If you're flying to a country that requests that your antigen certificate is issued by an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory, make sure to inform the test centre when you are in touch with them by email and when they arrive at your location to perform the COVID tests. You will get your COVID test certificate issued by the ISO 15189 accredited laboratory of the test centre. You will also get a copy of the ISO 15189 accreditation of the laboratory so that you can show it to the authorities of your destination country if requested. There's no additional cost to pay to get your antigen or PCR test certificate issued by an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory or to get a copy of the ISO 15189 accreditation of the laboratory.
For antigen test certificates, note that you will receive your ISO 15189 test certificate within the delivery time indicated below:

Maximum number of hours to receive your antigen test certificate issued by the ISO 15189 accredited laboratory: 3

Where will I meet the coordinator from the test centre and my driver at Barcelona Cruise Port?

The coordinator from the test centre and your personal driver will be waiting for you at a designated meeting point at Barcelona Cruise Port, at the exit of your cruise terminal. The exact meeting point location will be indicated on the voucher confirmation you'll receive after you fill out the booking form so that you can refer to it when you're about to arrive at the Cruise Port. Telephone numbers of the transfer coordination department of the test centre will also be indicated on your voucher so that you can ring them if you have any difficulty in locating your coordinator and driver.

Where will I meet my driver at Barcelona Airport?

Your personal driver will be waiting for you at a designated meeting point at Barcelona Airport, in the Arrivals Hall of your airport terminal. The exact meeting point location will be indicated on the voucher confirmation you´ll receive after you fill out the booking form so that you can refer to it when you arrive at the airport. Telephone numbers of the transfer coordination department of the test centre will also be indicated on your voucher so that you can ring them in case you have any difficulty in locating your driver. For groups from 7 people, a coordinator from the test centre will also be at the airport to welcome you and assist you together with your driver.

Official VAT invoice provided?

This centre can provide an invoice upon request. If your home-country health or travel insurance covers COVID-related expenses abroad, you will need to send them the invoice for your test along with your claim for reimbursement. If you need an invoice, make sure to request it at the front desk of the testing centre, after paying for your test.

Can I cancel my booking after I´ve paid for the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package?

Yes, if you need to cancel your booking, you can do so for free, without any cancellation charge if you request your cancellation at least 24 hours before your pick up time (Barcelona local time). You will need to send an email to the testing centre and request your cancellation and refund. The amount you paid for your package will be refunded in full to the credit card you used to pay your package. You will see the refund to your credit card approximately 5-10 business days later, depending upon your bank.

Cancellations requested within 24 hours will not be refunded.

Comments or questions about the Cruise Traveller Transfer and Antigen Test Package in Barcelona

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