Just got around to reading this post. First of all, the OP was very wrong in that they were not overcharged (charged exactly what they agreed to pay when booking the cruise) and did not pay too early (paid what they agreed to pay and when at the time of booking). What else I found confusing is that while OP claims to have been cruising for 39 years, nowhere is it ever mentioned how many cruises were taken during that time and how many were taken on RCI.
In any event, as the saying goes, once the ring is on your finger, quit looking!