The name definitely rings a bell.
In fact, I think we may have bought our first microwave from them, around 1984 or so. A monster of an appliance, and we probably paid the equivalent of £500 for it !
We cruised in April this year. Masks, tests, social distancing etc. We got Covid !
Cruised again in June - no masks, limited testing. No problems.
On a 3000+pax ship you will never erradicate the possibility of Covid, and testing, masks etc is of such limited effectiveness that doing away with those sort of requirements is a sensible decision. Mask wearing especially was always purely symbolic. Mandatory to wear a mask in an empty corridor, but no need to wear one in a crowded dining room !
If you fancy a cruise out of the UK, you could look at Saga cruises.
Just two ships, max occupancy 999 pax, and 100 solo cabins, all with balconies.
Special arrangements for solo travellers to dine together, if you so wish.
In Southampton and Barcelona you take your cases up to the baggage area yourself. No porters required. No need for a tip.
And if porters are around, I just ignore them, and take my cases myself.
There is absolutely no reason to use porters and be blackmailed into giving them an extortionate amount of money as a tip.
Can't answer the first question, but, iirc, they will not start collecting cars until 11 at the earliest, when the baggage "hole in the wall " opens.
But so many people ignore their allocated check in times, that there is quite often a lengthy queue of cars at this time. Plus, of course, you may be turned away at the terminal if you arrive early.