Your misuse and misunderstaning of terms degrades the conversation in multiple threads. Cross-Realm specifically refers to TEMPORARY links between realm populations. Restrictions are in place to prevent transferring of non-conjured items from one side to the other.
Realm Connections are PERMANENT joinings of realms, effectively a merge. Players in connected realms may freely trade/guild/raids/use the same AH.
The difference cannot be overstated: Cross-Realm temporarily connects strangers together for an activity while Realm Connections unite realm populations, all of them permanently growing in the process.