Don,

1. Are you going to use RSSC Air? Can't comment on anything Funchal.
2. I would be afraid to ship luggage to Funchal - It's not like shipping to a more well known locale like Ft. Lauderdale!. Luggage can go astray with you being right above it in the passenger compartment!
3. Most of the RSSC days have a basic structure; You will see how it is on SAND. Lectures/events start at 9 or 10 AM and there is something to do every 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. 12-2 is usually lunch and of course eating is a main event! 2:00 on is constant something to do with tea and trivia at 4 and 4:30 and Bingo at 4:45. Then cocktail hour is 6-6:30 and then on to dinner. There are occasional schedule changes if there is a port to interfere!
3. Marc wrote a good review of his crossing on Voyager about two years ago.
4. Entertainment: There is usually music and dancing BEFORE dinner and there are usually two choices; A Combo/Duo and also just a pianist; After dinner there is lounge entertainment in the lounges too. Sometimes the Voyager 5; Kareoke is popular but not everynight and it depends on who is on board. I think for 2007 we will find it somewhat different because of All Inclusive. It's been quiet in some venues, I believe because of the lack of open bar. Post dinner there is a show at 9:45 either a production show, comic, singer or similar.