Chadster

I have to admit that one of the many reasons I'm excited about sailing on Oasis in September is because I'm looking forward to doing exactly this. ?

I have to admit that one of the many reasons I'm excited about sailing on Oasis in September is because I'm looking forward to doing exactly this. ?

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.
 

This was a concern of mine on my first cruise in 2019 on Mariner since I don't always eat on a set schedule.  I never went hungry.....I actually ate too much.
Our second cruise was on Vision (smaller ship) and I was concerned about the same thing because there was no Cafe Promenade.  Again, I ate too much.

I do too. They keep extending the booking window but are steadfastly maintaining the sail-by limit. I've had my eye on a cruise out of NJ for ages now but it sails mid-May and I'm not chancing booking it without CWC while we Europeans are still not allowed into the US. ?

And I love fresh roasted turkey!  Could eat it every day (and for midnight snacking!). The stuff they served was just nasty.

Will be eagerly watching the B2B experience of you and the others sailing before December; I've got a B2B on Anthem, and I made sure to get the same cabin...which for cruises over a holiday was no easy feat. Hopefully they'll walk this back in some form in the future with the new email that's apparently coming soon.™

Update after reaching out to RCI: "Sorry for the trouble with this, Steve. With our last back-to-back update, we provided the wrong information and apologize for the confusion. We had advised all back-to-back guests that they were required to pack their bags and bring them to the terminal between sailings. This is incorrect. You do not need to pack your bags and bring them to the terminal. Guests who sail on back-to-back cruises must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and are required to take a COVID-19 test producing negative results between each sailing. This test will be administered onboard at no expense to the guest. The regular back-to-back process will occur on turnaround day which means, back-to-back guests will debark (leaving their luggage onboard) and check-in for the next cruise will take place. Be sure to bring your COVID-19 Vaccine record card, as well as your Passport and any important documents needed to board your next sailing. Thank you for your understanding and we apologize again for the mix-up."

OK that's much better. But why even go through that trouble? Will your documents have changed in the previous 7 days?
 
Man RC really needs to read what they write before they publish it
 
 

A seapass card or a wife?

I pulled the trigger.  I booked the back to back.  Refundable.  All I had to do was put down a deposit now.  I will re-price the cruise from now until final payment and then switch it to a non-refundable to get more savings.  ?  I was lucky enough to get the same cabins for both sailings.

I do the same thing. I don’t carry my wallet so I just put it in my pocket.
 
for the room lights, I have an old hotel room card in my suitcase that slides into the slot perfectly.  

I always bring an old key card or similar card to put in the room slot. I carry my seapass card in my pocket. Now I can use the app on my phone to open the door…Depending on the ship.

@Chadster Since you are on the sailing and you asked so nicely,  I will save you some, I can be nice to a fellow blog member!! LOL?

The packages came back but after looking at the MDR menu I was content with what was on it.  I'm good eating escargot every day along with French Onion soup and steak. LOL

We call it a “work retreat”

As I recall, this was the "incident" that prompted Royal to hire James VanFleet.

Happy to see such a tough experience didn't impact your love for cruising!  Rough seas is something I pray will never be encountered when cruising with my husband...that would end his cruise life forever (and we have just begun these adventures)!  It wouldn't deter me and I would absolutely want to keep cruising...so guess I would end up a SOLO cruiser ? at that point, or perhaps take a grandchild or two or ... with me!  

The worst seas I have ever experienced were coming out of Bayonne...but that was also due to sailing directly into a nor'easter.  We were on Explorer in the late fall (Nov I think).  I thought for sure we were doomed.  The big waves took out 2 lifeboats, flooded the elevators midship and blew out a glass door midship (which is why the elevators flooded !!).   Had the ship been sailing at capacity, we would not have been allowed into our ports of call, but fortunately, we were not (at capacity) and the sidelined lifeboats did not present a problem.  After we made it through the storm, the next days of sailing were some of the smoothest I have ever experienced.  Those first 2 days and 3 nights though.....yikes !

Nope.  
 
On the cvs website it says they charge your insurance or the federal government 

Glacier Bay is awesome.   I was on Princess in 2011.  The inside passage was also great.  Skagway was my favorite port.  Ketchikan was not so great.   I am heading out Friday-assuming a negative covid test tomorrow on ovation.  Chose this for ship, Skagway and inside passage.  
 
gping with friends because my husband does not want to go again.  He got “tired of all the pretty scenery”

Okay, so you're not responsible...you were actually helpful -- as was everybody in this thread. The 7-night multi-glacier trip aboard Serenade in May 2022 checks even more boxes than my previously planned 8-day trip...so I'm even more excited now. ?

Here's a list of various port webcams, including the New York Harbor webcam these shots were taken from:
https://www.ptztv.com/portfolio/seaports/
 
A direct link to the NY Harbor cam: https://www.nyharborwebcam.com/

It may be boring…but I love it! I know I’m a bit geeky about it but….I can’t get enough of planning, scheduling, researching and talking about cruising. You’re right! The obsession is exhausting but wonderful! Being a Cruisaholic is a gift! Enjoy it!! LOL?