I'm interested in responses to your thread, since I haven't been over there, either, and I've been researching the topic rather like you have...and yes, it's a lot of info. to dig through. I've seen a couple of issues come up before that I don't think have been discussed yet in this thread, so I'll bring them up from my notes and see if those of you who've been there can confirm or deny where my notes so far are right.
The question of Komodo vs. Raja Ampat comes up from time-to-time on the forum. The impression I got was Komodo has more drift diving but maybe better viz. (but north Komodo and south Komodo are somewhat different, so it becomes important to decide which you will hit, if not both). I've been told RA has the edge on diving (note: this could start a big debate, I imagine!) but if setting foot on the island of Komodo or neighboring Rinca and seeing wild Komodo dragons in person, and being able to say 'I've been there!' every time Komodo is mentioned on a nature show, well...
From what I've read, the Raja Ampat live-aboard season is Oct. to May (but the best time is narrower; Mid. June to Mid. Sept. monsoon season, and Dec. and Jan. are good times to go). I know you're not after a live-aboard, but when the boats go might suggest when diving is better.
With Komodo, north Komodo is warmer with better viz. and south Komodo colder with more plankton and lower viz. but rich life. I think it's from Blue Water Dive Travel's site that I put together this blurb:
"c. For best access to all sites, BWDT recommends March to May, and again Sept. to Nov. From mid.-May to early Sept., SE winds make some southern sites inaccessible – but it’s the best time for northern sites! Mid.-Nov. – Jan. is optimal for southern conditions, but most northern sites are exposed.
d. Best all access: March – May or Sept. – Nov.
e. Best Northern: Mid.-May to early Sept. Best Southern: Mid.-Nov. – Jan."
I have no idea what seasons are best for other regional destinations - Bali, Sulawesi, PNG or the Solomon Islands.
You've not been outside the U.S., this is a university club, and some of your people are afraid of sea sickness and being on a boat (you didn't say they suffer from it, just that they're afraid of it). Gotta ask...how much experience do you guys have? I ask because, for example, the drift diving and lower viz. of southern Komodo don't sound like a great match for a fairly new diver.
Apologies in advance for whatever I managed to screw up in my efforts to wrap my mind around some pieces of this large, diverse region. I hope others' answers to my questions can at least be helpful.