Credit cards are already pre registered and photos uploaded, although it seems that P&Os IT system rejects quite a lot of photos, and the check in process now does seem much slicker, especially as the cruise cards ae now in your cabin.
However I have always believed that rules are for the guidance of wise men, and the observance of fools, so like you I usually took a chance and arrived early before I was Caribbean level, fortunately I now get priority boarding and early check in times.