Why do we have to pay so soon?

1. The thing is, the cruise yachts do a booming business. (Lots of folks line up boats for their weddings, corporate events, family reunions, etc., usually far in advance of their selected dates.)

2. It's the yachts' market, so they set the terms.
3. Including minimal-attendance requirements and non-refundable deposits.

4. Well, we need SIXTY people on board, in order to sail.

5. So, we need the entire SIXTY, pre-paid, in order to be able to guarantee the date and that nobody loses their money. Additional sign-ups are obviously welcome, beyond the original SIXTY; we just need to get the SIXTY first.

6. And we need to do it SOON, otherwise...we can't secure our date or the cruise plan.