Hi Lori,
Actually 1218 is on starboard; identical to the one I occupied, but on the opposite side of the ship. The balcony configuration is the best, in my opinion. I'm sure you will love being out there!
As for views of Hubbard Glacier - there is no bad side, because the Captain will actually go up as close as he can get and then slowly rotate the ship, so that people on all sides will get a chance to face the glacier. You will most likely spend a good 2 or 3 hours doing this, weather permitting.
I held a "glacier viewing cocktail party" in my suite. My butler arranged to send invitations to several couples I'd become friendly with. He then supplied champagne glasses, took my 2 bottles of champagne (which I had brought onboard with me), and brought them back in ice-filled buckets. He also brought me a platter of cheeses, crackers and fruit to serve. If you'd like to do something similar, discuss it with him a couple of days in advance. My guests enjoyed themselves very much, and there was more than enough room for us all to enjoy the spectacular calving of the glacier - and in privacy - from this balcony. They also got a chance to check out the ample room inside the sky suites, and each of them vowed to take their next cruise in one.
As for sky suites getting all of the CC amenities - I wouldn't set my heart on it. I never received fresh flowers; my bed was not a pillowtop; there were no alternating bathroom rugs and towels and, while I had requested a body pillow my first day I was told that none were available .... I've also read numerous threads from others along the same lines. Perhaps they are looking to change this; however, I suspect that Celebrity is trying to maintain certain distinctions between the two categories in order to make each appealing in its own way .... let us know how you make out.
And lastly, I found that there was not much going on in either the casino or the disco (both of which I frequented nightly) after say, 12:30 or 1:00 a.m. But even though I, too, am a night owl, I found that I was always ready to go to bed around this time anyway, because it can be exhausting having this much fun on a cruise!
