NC Grateful Dead Dad

You'll be fine.  We do it all the time from leftover plane snacks. To answer the question though, we carry them on, but just because that's the bag they happen to be in.

Going on my first RC cruise next week (wow it's nice to finally be able to say "next week").  It is my understanding that the portions in the MDR are smaller than one might usually expect.  And that you can, and should, order multiple apps, entrees, desserts, etc.
My question is should you order everything all at once when first placing your order, or do you wait until after finishing up a certain course before you say "I would also like ..."? 
I know I saw on the YouTube live chat not to order more than you can eat.  So that is why I am not sure what the propper etiquette is for when to order more than just 1 app or 1 entree (especially apps as there are quite a few that look nice!).
If it makes a difference, we have an early sitting time.

Going on my first RC cruise next week (wow it's nice to finally be able to say "next week").  It is my understanding that the portions in the MDR are smaller than one might usually expect.  And that you can, and should, order multiple apps, entrees, desserts, etc.
My question is should you order everything all at once when first placing your order, or do you wait until after finishing up a certain course before you say "I would also like ..."? 
I know I saw on the YouTube live chat not to order more than you can eat.  So that is why I am not sure what the propper etiquette is for when to order more than just 1 app or 1 entree (especially apps as there are quite a few that look nice!).
If it makes a difference, we have an early sitting time.

The "proper etiquette" in ordering food in the MDR is the same for proper etiquette everywhere.
You order what you want, how many you want, let them know dietary restrictions, ask for half-sized or smaller portions, whatever.  The most important thing is to ask politely and be kind and receptive to answers that you may not like.  Just don't act entitled.  Lot's of people say, "its your vacation, do as you please..."  Nope.  Its your vacation along with thousands of others' vacation.  Enjoying one's own vacation does not come at the expense of another.
Don't worry if you can't finish all of your food.  First time cruisers make mistakes just the same as experienced cruisers.  

My experience last week on Oasis in the MDR…several of the men in my family group ordered quite a bit each night.  At least 2 appetizers, 2 main meals as well as 2 desserts.  Appetizers came out together.  Main meals came out together most nights and one at a time just once.  Desserts came out together.  
Once or twice… I ordered a couple of extra dishes for the table and they came out with all the meals.  

The majority of the passengers do embark and disembark at Barcelona, I think something like 2/3?  It sounds like they've made improvements from last year though, in that Rome embarkers can now use the app and book things ahead of time. I think this had been wonky previously and put them at a disadvantage.  And I have heard that the boarding process is smooth in Rome as there are fewer people to contend with.
I will be joining in Barcelona and crashing your parade on Aug 20!

I am larger than the average NFL player (for those scoring at home, the average player in the NFL is 6'2, 245 pounds), so I can eat.
Would I appear a glutton on the second night if on night 2 I ordered (yes, I just looked up the menu) in this manner?
"I would like to start with the Calamari and Escargot, then for the entree the chicken cordon bleu and seafood linguine, and the apple cobbler for dessert."
Just not trying to embarrass the family that early in the trip.

I will say that as a Rome cruiser, it feels as if we are crashing the Barcelona people's party.  They get the sail away party.  They have the first-time cruisers orientation tour (this is my first cruise since the mid-90s).  For me, that's on day 4.  I guess I'm disappointed the sail away and orientation and such is not offered to both cruises since we all spent good money to be there.
But in the end, who am I kidding?  I'm not staying up until midnight for balloons unless I'm on a heater in the casino, and maybe getting around the boat will be so easy that on day 4 I will snicker (to myself of course) at those poor rookies in the first-time cruise class.

I am larger than the average NFL player (for those scoring at home, the average player in the NFL is 6'2, 245 pounds), so I can eat.
Would I appear a glutton on the second night if on night 2 I ordered (yes, I just looked up the menu) in this manner?
"I would like to start with the Calamari and Escargot, then for the entree the chicken cordon bleu and seafood linguine, and the apple cobbler for dessert."
Just not trying to embarrass the family that early in the trip.

I will say that as a Rome cruiser, it feels as if we are crashing the Barcelona people's party.  They get the sail away party.  They have the first-time cruisers orientation tour (this is my first cruise since the mid-90s).  For me, that's on day 4.  I guess I'm disappointed the sail away and orientation and such is not offered to both cruises since we all spent good money to be there.
But in the end, who am I kidding?  I'm not staying up until midnight for balloons unless I'm on a heater in the casino, and maybe getting around the boat will be so easy that on day 4 I will snicker (to myself of course) at those poor rookies in the first-time cruise class.

Nah. You just ordered one dessert. 🙂 I always order three appetizers, one entree, and three desserts. No one seems surprised. I'm sure the waitstaff has seen everything.

I think the portions are just right.  Actually 2 cruises ago I got the tortellini on one night. I thought the portion was really small. Yet last week, the portion was much larger.

As someone who likes to eat, that's not my experience, lol... everyone has different appetites though so neither of us is wrong, of course.
My FIL still comments on how much I can eat (especially on family cruises) after being married to his daughter for 21 years. 🙈

I am larger than the average NFL player (for those scoring at home, the average player in the NFL is 6'2, 245 pounds), so I can eat.
Would I appear a glutton on the second night if on night 2 I ordered (yes, I just looked up the menu) in this manner?
"I would like to start with the Calamari and Escargot, then for the entree the chicken cordon bleu and seafood linguine, and the apple cobbler for dessert."
Just not trying to embarrass the family that early in the trip.

Congratulations !!  You have such a treat ahead of you !!
Yes, I recommend that you order everything that you intend to order, right up front.
Be prepared, however, that if you order more than 1 entree (and there is nothing to stop you from doing that with the single exception of ordering additional lobster tails when they are on the menu, unless you want to pay $$), that they MAY be brought out in succession rather than being brought to the table all at once.  That is not the case with appetizers, side dishes and/or desserts.  Just the main courses.  I think the delayed extra entrees is slowly being ignored but it is entirely possible that they will only bring you a second entree after you have completed the first one.  They will bring you as many side dishes, appetizers and desserts as you want. 
My experience has been that even though the main dish portions look small, by the time you have a couple of appetizers, it is actually a lot of food.  On the very few rare occasions that we have ordered a second entree (and it's usually something that we just want to "sample" and share), they have brought it out with the rest of our entrees, but the "rule" of holding second entrees until the first one is gone, is still officially in effect as far as I know.
 

Going on my first RC cruise next week (wow it's nice to finally be able to say "next week").  It is my understanding that the portions in the MDR are smaller than one might usually expect.  And that you can, and should, order multiple apps, entrees, desserts, etc.
My question is should you order everything all at once when first placing your order, or do you wait until after finishing up a certain course before you say "I would also like ..."? 
I know I saw on the YouTube live chat not to order more than you can eat.  So that is why I am not sure what the propper etiquette is for when to order more than just 1 app or 1 entree (especially apps as there are quite a few that look nice!).
If it makes a difference, we have an early sitting time.

The Channel features short interviews/introductions/information by the Entertainment Director or some entertainment staff member.  You may see some behind the scenes rehearsal clips of some of the shows.  If you have been to Vegas, it is like the Hotel/Casino's channel featuring clips of the property and ammenities.

They do not stream or record and replay any of the shows or performances. The only recorded shows are the shopping and usually shore excursion shows. The cruise director will records some snippets and these will replay. If you want to really drive your roommate mad, play the safety drill recording over and over.😁
For ESPN, go the the Sports Bar if your ship has one and see if they will tune in to the event you want to see. In the Caribbean we get ESPN but it is the Caribbean version and usually show Cricket or other non-North America events unless there is a big game coming on.

Sounds like we will all be getting the app!  Thank you so much for your help.
On a side note- it's exciting to have Matt answer your question.  It's like getting help from a celebrity!

We did this last week for my son who isn't old enough for his own account yet.  It's not ideal due to the notification issue (though I admit I got a lot of notifications this cruise, albeit not necessarily timely), but it served its purpose for keeping tabs on each other.

If everyone signs in as your wife I think it will be hard to send messages to each other.  I have no idea if the app can send a message to oneself.
You should each create app logins for this purpose. 

You can all use one account, but the problem would be notifications and knowing who said what because all messages will come from your wife.
I'd recommend having an account for everyone just for your own sanity.
Having a Royal Caribbean account is free and the chat feature in the app is free.

Symphony Aug 17- Rome

Symphony Aug 17- Rome

Symphony Aug 17- Rome