This sounds so fun! It sounds almost like the FE's. Guest-created, guest-organized, and above all, FUN! I am going to present this idea to my upcoming cruise's group and see how many are interested ... although I can see my DH resisting, although I read another post here where a cigar-meet was suggested for men.
I don't have the funds to underwrite champagne, let alone a sommelier, but I have no problem bringing some to share (onboard).
It seems like there is a lot of leeway to what you can do with it. I hope some of my fellow(?) cruisers would enjoy this, because I know that I would!!!
I planned ours for the sea day at the same time of the beer tasting. I figured (yes stereotypical) that the men could do that while the women got together for champagne, other drinks, whatever!