When we fly in early we spend some time downtown/Bayside area. I get a pedicure at one of the walk in salons. We buy our wine and sunscreen. A little cumbersome with bags but doable. There is a free trolley to the port from that area although could be quite a walk from the trolley stop to the ship depending on how many are in port so taxi is easy.
Chops is not ala carte. I don't know which ship you are on but ala carte would include Playmskers, Johnny Rockets, Portside BBQ, Mason Jar....Most restaurants are the set price.
We are D+ and accessed the CL on our b2b Explorer in March. Maybe because if our # of points but the CL was so empty. I tried my key on Navigator CL once this month and it did not work.