Again, don't forget (and let's say we're talking about a three/four day cruise), most often people booked as part of a special group will usually get a discounted rate.  And for that rate, virtually everything is included - room, food, non-alcoholic/soda drinks (juices, milk, coffee, tea) as well as transportation to the various ports.  The package price might seem high, but break it down to hotel room, meals, etc., and one will find that it is comparable and in many cases cheaper.  (Don't forget, you can also eat as much as you want, anytime you want, 24-hours-a-day [use the free gymnasium for 30 minutes to alleviate the guilt].)  Once on board, you technically don't have to spend another penny on anything; you can even have the tips automatically charged to your account removed.  I spent a month on the Queen Mary 2 and my total ship-board expenses came to less than $125 for the tips, drinks in the bars, books I purchased and soveniers and gifts from the shopping mall stores and a dinner in the extra-tariff restaurant.

Yes, it may appear daunting and even a bit frightening and overwhelming, but if the committee listens carefully to the tourist agent/agency putting it together and shows, penny-for-penny, that the cost is actually economical for the whole package - the proof is in the pudding (and, on the ship, you can eat as much pudding as you desire).  Yes, that doesn't take into account airfare to the port of departure, but when one attends a fest, one usually has to fly anyway.  But just to give a word of warning about that - never, ever book a flight that arrives the day of sailing, especially the way airlines operate today.  If the flight is delayed or canceled, or if your luggage ends up Omaha while you're in Ft. Lauderdale, there goes your cruise.  Better to spend extra and fly in the day before and book overnight in a hotel. 

Anyway, if this can be pulled off, considering how much work would be necessary by the committee, etc., how often is this going to happen, if ever again?  Consider it one time splurge, indulgence and adventure.  Everyone deserves to go wild and crazy just once in their lives.  After that, it's back to Anaheim, Brooklyn, Lyndhurst; Anaheim, Brooklyn, Lyndhurst; Anaheim, Brooklyn, Lyndhurst; Anaheim, Brooklyn, Lyndhurst; nary a hot-tub to soak in or a deck chair to relax in with a steward bringing you some delicious libation with fruits poked through by a stirrer.

Gerard

...it still had no bathrooms.

Gerard

Elizabeth:  "Roger said not to let David have a puppy.  I guess he was right, for once.......Mrs. Johnson!!!!!!"

Gerard

Julia:  "Take me off this case involving Maggie Evans, Dave, and I'll see to it that Wyndcliffe starts accepting Medicaire.  So help me, I will."

Gerard

Elizabeth:  "Not again!  That's the last time I eat Mrs. Johnson's taco-kimchi-stuffed-cabbage-surprise before going to bed.  Or ever."

Gerard

Jason:  "Go ahead, kill me.  Write me out.  Irwin Allen already offered me a spot on Lost In Space and that's in prime time."

Gerard

Burke:  "Roger!  Jason insists it's my turn to bring the baloney-sandwich platter to the poker game tonight.  Is that true?"

Gerard