I do my own bookings and pay The $500.00 for two people down and then I have it paid off before the deadline, it works out Good for us! I have always done my own Bookings and Hotel reservations directly with the Hotel where Im Staying at! That way I only have the Hotel there to deal with if theres a problem! This is New to me about RCCL,but we are going Carnival since Rhapsody Quit Sailing to the Western Caribbean for the Months of Sept, Oct, and Nov 2007 and for the future that I can find! I have a PVP (Personal Vacation Planner with Carnival and its free!) I do my own checking for Free upgrades or price changes myself and have gotten a Hundred Dollar Reduction PP! and a Bigger Balcony as well! Just my personal preference others do it different!