The meeting at a bar/recruitment center works for me. It gives a definent time frame and the ship time for them to get to know each other at least minimally. It would also explain why "It's just going to be us, everyone else can sit and spin." attitude that apparently rules in this moment.<br/><br/>On what world is used, at this point, it's 6 of one half a dozen of the other. The island is your own creation in either way and if a campaign begins, it can be settled if they leave the island.