Isn't the planning just so much fun! Exploring your options, figuring out what to do and when...love it! The pricing with Alla Tour is based on total number of people - so if you fill their van (total of 16 travelers, I think), the cost per person is less than if you limit the van to your group only. They take credit cards, you pay on the van when your tour starts (first day). In our group, we all agreed on a meeting time (early) to get in line to debark the ship, so were at the front of the line, and the Alla Tour guides were waiting with signs once through immigration into Russia.