Snotarni

So this is just CDC recommendations and we are all getting wound up for nothing.

If RC does make a change and you have a cruise in the next two months, I'd have those Binax tests in your shopping cart ready to purchase

It isn't an option until Royal makes it an option though, and they haven't yet is what I meant ?  
We shall see what transpires over the next week If announce any changes immediately, that's going to throw a lot of folks going on cruises next weekend for a loop with not a lot of time to scramble to get tests rescheduled for a day later, especially since I know a lot of people were relying on the 3 days giving them enough time to get their PCR results back as they don't have the access to rapid tests in their area.

Yet another CDC attempt to discourage cruising. Hope the cruise lines give them the middle finger ? on this one. 
 
There has not been a problematic “outbreak” on any ship to resort to this new “recommendation.” CDC trying sooooooo hard to remain relevant. 

Usually the My Time Dining and the walk-ins will be on the same level.  Since you have an assigned early dining time, you will be assigned to a specific level and keep the same table for every meal.
The menu changes daily, but there is always a section of "favorites" that will be available every day.
There is no limit.  If there are several things you are interested in, feel free to order them all.  The appetizers typically aren't a shareable size and are scaled down to feed one person, more like tapas.  They aren't shared plates, so anyone who wants a specific appetizer should order their own.  Also keep in mind they usually will only plate one item in front of you at a time.  If you ordered a salad an an appetizer, they would bring out the salad and once you were finished with the salad, then the appetizer would come.
Since you are scheduled for a set dining time, if you don't want to go there isn't anything you need to do.  However, I don't believe they will allow you to make another reservation to eat in the My Time Dining level.  You could always ask.  On those days you aren't feeling the Main Dining Room you can always eat at the other places on the ship.  Oasis has a lot of choices (some at an extra cost) so you should be able to find anything.  The Windjammer (buffet) hasn't been open for dinner on the recent cruises because they aren't opening it with the lowered capacity, but normally Windjammer is available for dinner.
Yes, as long as they are open you can hit up Boardwalk Dog House over and over again for all your hot dog needs.  You can order two dogs at one time if you like.  El Loco Fresh is another complimentary option where you can visit as often as you like. Park Cafe in Central Park is the same way.  You will not need a reservation for any of the other included places with the exception of Solarium Bistro for dinner.  That's an included dining option that you could decide to do instead of the Main Dining Room, but reservations are recommended there as space is limited.  The other included options (Cafe Promenade, Sorrentos, Park Cafe, Boardwalk Dog House, and El Loco Fresh) are all quick-service style places.
Oasis is a great ship for a first-timer with so many included options!  Don't forget that Solarium Bistro and Johnny Rockets will be open for breakfast and are also included, so gives you some other options than the Main Dining Room and Windjammer for breakfast.
 

They have to be kidding? I really hope this is not in place early next year. We have two B2B in the same room and this defeats the purpose of having the same room and the inconvenience factor means we don't have an opportunity to enjoy the last and first days to the full taking advantage of a sleep in.
 

We're in the same room as well...totally ridiculous to have to pack our bags, get off the ship with them, get tested, wait for hours and THEN get back on WITH our bags and haul them back to the same room. Seems like a workday to me.

It always was the case that you might need to leave the ship to re-clear US Customs/Immigration, as it was based on staffing levels whether or not they would come aboard to clear B2B'ers aboard the ship. You also usually were given a card identifying you as an in-transit passenger to be able to stay off the ship and be able to return freely anytime before all-aboard time, if you wanted.

But you never had to pack up and actually take all your luggage and belongings off the ship, and then only come back at some pre-scheduled time window.

Talk about disengaging the brain before thinking through a policy change.


 
 

The email is generally boilerplate. Nothing really groundbreaking in there. But if you have a special request, you'll be able to reply and the concierges usually respond quickly

Yup yup!
It usually has the name of the Suite Concierge and their hours in the lounge, lists all the things you get with being in a suite (location of and hours of food and drink in the lounge, where you can eat for free in specialty restaurants, how to get priority stuff etc etc.)
There's so much good info in there I usually print it out for notes onboard (though I believe the same information is in the suite binder in room).

I call the new Pinnacle Lounge the Pin Bin

Yes, usually 5-7 days prior to sailing.

also I am on both of those sailings

I am on both sailings also

Same! (On my sailing.)

We're on the Dec 5 and Dec 12 B2B and are kinda counting on being able to enjoy the CK on both!!  ?

I'm in!  
 
Luckily, I already had this one booked and got in at a group rate (thank you, Miss Beth!!).
 
This will make 3 Harmony cruises in a row; I would love to have had a different ship for at least
one of them (Allure, Odyssey), as I love the Solarium pool.
 
Looking forward to meeting all, okay most of y'all!!!  ? 

"Oh did we say you were going to Coco Cay? Sorry, we meant Albany"

On Allure it becomes the Brazilian restaurant Samba Grill which is an up charge restaurant 

Not sure how this would fly in the MDR, but it worked at Hooked (with some advanced notice). You can make your own dishes based upon available ingredients throughout the ship.
For example on my sailing last week, I was going to be at Hooked for dinner but am allergic to shellfish, effectively eliminating 80+ percent of the menu. At lunch in Coastal Kitchen, my server there was going to be the one at Hooked later that night. He said I could pick whatever fish they had available at any restaurant and also whatever side. So I had 2 halibut filets (think I saw it on the Solarium bistro menu) over a bed of celery root (was a base of a dish in Wonderland). It came out exactly how I envisioned and was so good I ordered it to room service 2 nights later.
Don’t be afraid to ask your waiters to go beyond what is on the menu! Everyone is very helpful and super excited to be sailing again so they really go insanely out of their way to provide great service.

I've been on 2 cruises and have a couple observations. 
First, almost everyone on both cruises were experienced,  frequent cruisers. I only met one couple that was on their first cruise. 
Second, nearly everyone on board couldn't possibly care less about cdc advice.

Trophies for everyone!

Mariner is a go!