I was doing this without issue for the last year more because of my limited bandwidth than connection.
I would use my Laptop at other peoples homes to both update my laptop version with CCC and then download and store all the files for later transfer to my offline DAW.
It certainly is easier with the CCC. Manual install is way more time consuming. You can register Sonar offline, but not a few of the other things like Addictive Drums, Melodyn and Dim Pro. So you end up on line anyhow.
I would have to move my DAW to my router location and plug in every so often so I was always 3 or 4 versions behind.
I now have run a LAN cable all the way upstairs and changed over to Satellite Internet so problem solved for me. CCC is the way to go with this software but it's nice you have the offline option for at least the main program.