Is there an alternative way to recover iCloud data without the iPhone?

Probably. Check out "Sync for iCloud" in the Google Play store.

About this app

Sync is built specifically to access iCloud photos, and iCloud files. Quickly view and upload files to iCloud by uploading from Sync. 

Features:

- Access photos in your iCloud photos gallery.

- Access files in your iCloud Drive folders. 

- Sync supports the upload and download of multiple files and photos at once. 

- Uploading/downloading of files is performed in the background, allowing you to do other tasks during download/upload.

- Support for dynamic theme and light/dark mode.

- 2 factor authentication support (no need for app specific password).

- Connects using HTTPS encryption.

- Connects directly to iCloud.com: no clients between you and iCloud servers. 

- Download files to your downloads folder. 

- Share files from other apps to Sync to upload directly from third party apps. 

* Privacy

The app communicates directly with Apple iCloud servers and does not make use of any third party servers. This allows for secure login and secure file transfer between your device and Apple servers. Visit our website for more privacy information.

They also make separate apps for Sync for iCloud Email and Sync for iCloud Contacts.

I'm not sure if they import them into Android email and Contact apps, or if it's just a front end for files on iCloud.

Or, you can browse your iCloud files directly in a browser by logging in with your Apple ID at https://www.icloud.com/

I know that iCloud saved my butt when my iPod Touch was dying because the 30-pin connector was broken, I could not recharge it, and it had just enough battery left to upload important stuff to iCloud via wi-fi.

[edit: I see that others type faster than me.]

Are you talking about data synchronized to iCloud? As the others have indicated, you can log into iCloud on the Web to see a lot of that.

Or about iPhone backups stored in iCloud? I don't know if there's any good way to see what's inside those or to restore them directly to an Android phone.

If you had enabled the feature to access iCloud data on the web when you had your iPhone, you should be able to login into iCloud and access your information. If you didn't have that feature on, unfortunately I don't think there's a way best of luck.

You can access and recover your iCloud data by going to icloud.com. If your iPhone crashed, you can retrieve the latest backup there too, including your personal information saved to iCloud.

Using iCloud ⇢ Sign in and use iCloud.com - Apple Support