Patricia November 7th, 2007
Dudes — seriously, 108!!!!
As of the today (11pm PST), we have more KNITTERS than we had total cruisers in Sea Socks ‘07. Wow.
Thank you all. Check out page 91 of Interweave Knits Winter.
(someone pass me a paper bag, k?)
Patricia October 30th, 2007
Updated to correct and clarify:
Background: Most of you know that we sold through our price protected balconies. These were balconies at $1400 (or $1380 as they were really priced, but shhh — I got a deal the first time around too) per person. Since then, I’ve been requesting price reductions on future bookings and that request is swamped in the world of “getting approval.” So, there are a few of you, all will get e-mails personally later today and you know who you are because your confirmation is at a higher price, who have a higher priced balcony cabin.
News: I was checking on prices again and I noticed something odd. It seems that the category of balconies that we are in has gone up in price AGAIN. But when I looked at the list, Concierge Class Cabins (balcony cabins with suite amenities) have gone DOWN in price. So, I pick up the phone and get adjustments for my Concierge Class folks AND I upgrade the few people who had higher priced balconies, because now the price is lower than their current balcony and they get a higher category.
Now, so the rest of my balcony folks don’t get upset — I’m going to offer you the same deal. This is while supplies last and totally optional.
Who’s looking out for you? 
Patricia October 29th, 2007
Someone asked me when I was leaving the ship after Sea Socks ‘07, “What would you do differently?” My response was, “I would not have changed my entire invoicing system halfway through the process.” I meant that sweeping changes are hard and when you have a beloved group of people (there are 98 of you — in case anyone needed a head count), you don’t try to shift gears in the middle.
I don’t learn. No, I’m not upgrading my invoice system again — but I’m moving to a more mobile environment. This will mean that life will not grind to a halt just because I’m not physically in my office — good, right? The nice side benefit is that that after 2 years of not ever feeling quite settled in my office, I cleaned out and moved a whole host of stuff over the weekend. I’m dust covered and tired, but so much better than it was.
Now, for how this affects you. Two things have happened:
Yes, I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel — but I need your help to make sure nothing falls. I just spoke to a lovely woman who booked slots 99 and 100. Ahem, you guys blow me away.
Patricia October 5th, 2007
Just a short note to let you all know that I’m on the road (again). I have the ever faithful, Jackie, answering my phones — though she will not see e-mails. I’m trying to keep up with e-mails, but it has been tough with an unexpected bump in my traveling road — I have spotty internet. Oh, my — can you feel my pain?
Over the past years, I’ve become a connected addict. I need my internet hit. Here’s the short list of things I’ve had to do that I’ve not done in years — thank you the internet.
Oh yes, the past several days have been REALLY hard. Currently, I’ve a brief moment of free wireless to upload this little missive. But the net of my point is that I’m struggling with a connection issue and traveling on top of it — which makes me HIGHLY out of sorts. I’ll be back in the office soon and back to a connection as fast as I can.
(now someone please tell me how in 2007 we can not just have GLOBAL high speed connections without having to worry about the fact that the cable lines are 35ish years old and um, rotting. Don’t they know who *I* am and that I NEED my internet?)
So, while I’m gone, please play nice in here, ok?
Patricia September 24th, 2007
Wow, I can tell you that it has been a busy week here in Sea Socks’ Central. I know many people have been calling and my new most popular question is “When do I have to decide?” Did you know this is also the hardest question to answer?
I want to tell you that you have all the time in the world, but you don’t. Absolute last date to choose to join us is February 15, 2008. Now, before you get all happy and say “I have all the time in the world,” let me explain. At that point, I will be able to only offer you what is available on the ship with regards to cabins. I can tell you I just checked the ships availability and there is ONE category of Deluxe Oceanviews left. (And I should note that the price has gone up — so anyone booking after 9/22 — the price is $1500 per person.) There are whole categories of oceanviews that are sold out too. I’m watching closely — but this ship is filling up and if you wait there may not be much left. So, just a reminder it is $500 to hold a cabin — just $500 and you can get the cabin you want, hopefully.
In other news, who would be interested in a day tour and yarn crawl through Seattle on the 9th before we can board the ship? If you are, mention it in comments — if there are at least 15 of you, I’ll get that pulled together — figure you’d need to be downtown and ready by 10am. (Aunty Nin, I know that’s early for you, but you are always up for a little yarny goodness, right?) Also, I have a small group who have asked about dinner at the Space Needle on the 8th. I can put something together, but I need to know how many. Fair warning, the Space Needle isn’t a bargain eatery — by the time I do admission to the top for sunset, dinner, and transportation, we are looking in the neighborhood of $80-$90 per person. So let me know if I need to bark up another tree.
Finally, I have a sad announcement to make. Erin, MamaE, has an issue that will prevent her from joining us. We all know that Erin (like me) has a young man in her life and he needs her. I respect her because she knows when it is time to put the yarn down and her son first — and while I’m sad that she will not be there, but I know it is the right thing for her Cowboy. She’s promised to make us our yarn like last year — she told me tonight, “I’ll be there in yarn-spirit.” I have offered that should anything change I’ll move whatever mountains I can to get her onboard. However, Erin and I are already putting our heads together for things we can do in the future. From the bottom of my heart, I thank her for her support and friendship — Sea Socks is a success because of her help — and she’s already helping me with ideas for Sea Socks ‘09. So, send good wishes to her and her family — then tell a friend that I have an extra cabin, k?
Patricia September 8th, 2007
Does anyone recall how there is this REALLY confusing thing about when the ship actually leaves Seattle and when we can board? Well, I got the details.
From this ship’s master plan this week, I found out that the earliest boarding will be between 3 and 4pm. The ship is doing something REALLY odd and the previous cruise ends in Vancouver. So, the Infinity will probably not even be in port until 2ish. (my guess — only my guess.)
What this means to us:
1. If you are planning on staying on May 8th in Seattle, nothing changes really — we will get a late check-out for everyone. Explore Seattle in the morning.
2. If you are flying in on the 9th, currently I have the bus leaving SeaTac at 1pm. I could push it back to 2pm, which still gives you an hour before boarding even would begin at the pier — it is 30 t0 45 minute ride.
Ok, I’ve still got a ton of questions an no more answers for you. If you have not made your flight arrangements and are planning on flying in on the 9th — kindly hold off as I have a feeling more updates are coming. If you’ve made the flight arrangements, let me know what time you are scheduled to arrive — I want to know what we are working with, if possible.
Answers to come:
1. What time will boarding close? When would we miss the boat?
2. Will this affect my dinner/drinks/meals? (I MUST know.)
3. When is muster/lifeboat drill? I know this isn’t planned out yet, but I need to know because I work goody bags around that drill.
(repeat after me: “Patricia loves her job, she loves her job, she loves her job.”)
Patricia August 30th, 2007
UPDATED: Pricing and a bold note on transfers before!!
You know the KISS Principle right? The one I tell myself nearly daily, “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” Not that I’m calling myself ’stupid’ often, but I have a tendency to make things more complex (kindly, don’t ask Michael about the genetic need I have to make and change plans — seriously, I need help.)
So, in an effort to KISS, I’m finalizing the transfers, hotel nights, and tour for this cruise. Here’s the outline of what is being offered. I KNOW there are no prices YET — but they are forthcoming. What we are going to do is share the plan today, let you think about through Labor Day. I will post the prices as soon as they are final (hopefully tonight or tomorrow). I will take reservations on these optional items beginning on September 5th. Please note the information you will need to provide when you reserve. All payments are due in full 30 days post the reservation. (This is a shift from last year and is part of my new sanity plan of KISS.) I will answer ALL questions about these items and add those questions to the FAQ.
On to the options:
Hotel before the cruise:
If you are like me and want to make sure you are in town the night before the cruise, you will need a place to stay on May 8th. If you like to hang with knitters, like me, on May 8th, you will want to be at the Sheraton in Downtown Seattle (like last year, the hotel might change — but it will be GOOD and in downtown).
Because we all plan our flights differently, you will make your own way from the airport to the hotel.I will highly suggest the Downtown Airporter, which currently charges $10.25 per person. Because we like to know what we doing, I’ve included the transfers from the airport to the hotel AND taxi vouchers from the hotel to the pier. Also, if you like hanging with knitters and want to jump start the cruise fun, plan to be in the hotel by 4ish, so we can go to dinner at 6pm (meet in the lobby). No, I don’t know where we will go yet, but I’ll tell you once I figure it out.
Costs: $148.50 per person based on double occupancy; $268 single occupancy. (Note, rates are guaranteed as long as we have 9 rooms. I will update next week with the rate if we have 8 or less.)
Want to arrive before 5/8? Additional nights are $119 per person based on double occupancy.
Note: Seattle is a convention town and the Sheraton is a convention hotel. It will book up completely without question. That said, I need to know how many rooms to hold ASAP. This option will not be available last minute, so plan accordingly.
Booking Requirements: Kindly share if you need two beds or one; smoking or non-smoking; and if you need an accessible room.
Transfers from the airport to the pier:
On May 9th, we are going to offer a Sea Socks ONLY shuttle from airport to pier leaving at 1pm from SeaTac. (Should you be coming in at a different time and not want to wait for the shuttle, I can arrange for a town car to meet you.)
Costs: Shuttle: $16 per person
Town Car: TBD, but in the neighborhood of $50.
Booking requirements: I MUST know your flight information when you book this shuttle.
Victoria, B.C. Shore Excursion:
There is only one choice this year — High Tea at the Empress Hotel with a side of yarny goodness. Yes, we will once again be hosted by our friends at BeeHive Wool Shop. Tea will be the delightful high tea in a wonderful hotel environment. For those who wish, walking around downtown will be available as well as a bus.
Costs: $71.50 per person
Transfer to the airport (or hotel — see below) from the pier:
No one wants a cruise to end, but the time will come when you need to pack all your fiber goodness in a bag and set off for home. (Please check all the drawers and closets — no fiber should be left behind.) So alas, a shuttle to the airport will be required. Exclusive to Sea Socks to allow the party to continue for as long as possible and direct from pier to airport.
Costs: $16 per person
Booking Requirements: I MUST know your flight plans. Earliest flight departure is 1pm, please.
Post Cruise Hotel Nights:
Want to enjoy the weekend in Seattle? Haven’t gotten enough of the yarn crawl? Oh, then stay a few more days. Back to the Sheraton downtown for one or two nights. Enjoy all that Seattle has to offer and I highly recommend an Underground Tour (begins in a storefront in Pioneer Square) or lots of coffee and then watch the fish fly at Pike’s Place Market. Or, if you aren’t over your baggage limit yet, there are many great yarn shops in the Seattle area too.
Costs: $128.75 per person based on double occupancy; $248.25 single occupancy. (Note, rates are guaranteed as long as we have 9 rooms each night. I will update next week with the rate if we have 8 or less.)
Note: This does not include transfer to the airport, again the Downtown Airporter is my favorite option. But for the $16 above, we can get you to the hotel.
Patricia August 27th, 2007
Ok, there are a few things I get asked often enough that I feel the need to bust out a whole post about them. Most of the other things I tend to tuck away in the FAQ, but this one is big enough that I feel I ought to bring it out in its own post.
First, insurance isn’t sexy. In fact it is rather boring and mundane at the best of times. I’m sorry to say this, but I fear by the nature of it all, this post will follow its topic and be dull also. I’m doing my best folks, but it is insurance — if it was fun, we’d know more about it, right? If you like podcasts, I suggest you listen to Michael and I discuss the insurance thing ages ago here.
Next, I like simplicity. Because of this I basically deal with two insurance companies and only two types of policies. I do this because I think these two companies offer the best options at the most reasonable prices. There are far more options out there and yes, you can totally get down into the weeds rather quickly — see point the first. I like two options.
First, in your confirmation I quote ONE price for insurance. It is from TravelSafe and it is their basic policy. I quote it because it tends to be the best price for the basic insurance. (I’ve even been good and attached the policy pdf to this post.) Should you be like me and want to get back to the knitting, I offer you Michael’s well written summary of insurance that he wrote for a client recently. (I’ve done minor edits to make it make more universal sense.)
The travel insurance Patricia quoted you is offered by our partner TravelSafe and includes the following benefits:
· Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation- Up to trip cost. If you should have to cancel your trip after final payment is due, this benefit will cover penalties incurred by the cancellation.
· Post-Departure Trip Interruption- Up to 150% of rip cost
· Travel Delay (8 hours or more)- $200 Per day, $1,000 Maximum
· Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses- $100,000
· Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains- $1,000,000
· On Call 24 Hour Assistance Service
· Baggage and Personal Effects- $2,500
· Baggage Delay of 12 Hours or More- $250
· Accidental Death and Dismemberment- $50,000
If you elect to purchase your own airfare we strongly recommend that you try to arrive in Seattle the day before the cruise if possible. By arriving the day before it gives you a bit of a buffer in case you encounter a flight delay or cancellation. It also gives your luggage a chance to catch up with you prior to sailing in the event that the airline manages to separate your luggage from you while you travel. If you fly in the day of embarkation, it is best to arrive before noon. This will give you enough time to make it to the ship before boarding is closed. We also recommend that you schedule your return flight for any time after noon, this will ensure that you have ample time to reach the airport and check in. It also provides you with a little extra time to reach the airport in case disembarkation is delayed for any reason.
Things that are important that aren’t above:
Now, there are two other kinds of policies you will want to know about:
Confused yet? I’m sorry if you are. I am an excellent travel agent and not an insurance agent. I will try my best to get you answers based on your own circumstances, just let me know.
Now, forgive me while I go pet some cashmere to help me feel better after all the talk of insurance, k?
Patricia August 22nd, 2007
Oh, so perhaps August is a bit early for packing, but while I’m fresh off the ship, I want to share a few things to put on your packing list. I promise to remind you about this as we get closer — but for those of you NEED to know — here’s my notes.
Ready yet?
Patricia August 21st, 2007
There are so many things to tell you about this ship and there will be photos in the gallery soon. Let me see if I can go through the major requests and then I’ll share a bit more about the other things I’ve learned.
A Knitting Spot:
Yes, I found one — a good one, with bright windows and close to the coffee bar and not far from other bars. I’m working on a request to reserve it for us for the whole cruise. Cross your needles, folks, I mentioned this on board and got looks of “Ain’t no way” then I said, “Um, do you think they will do it when I tell you I’m bring 60+ knitters as of TODAY…and I know more will come?” “Well, that’s a horse of a different color.” Alas, I’m waiting for final approval. If they don’t give it, we will perform “Munity on the Infinity” and take over. We have pointy sticks, we win.
The food:
I’m not getting on a scale anytime soon, does that help? First, the dining room service put Vision of the Seas to shame — and we all know how much I liked them, right? The food was over the top good and the suggestions I got from my server were amazing. There are other places to eat in addition to the main dining room.
Please note, Celebrity would like you to ‘dress for dinner.’ I will say that while I saw them turn no one away from being more casual, you will look around and see lots of dressed up folks. Formal nights were dressy, like cocktail dress dressy. About half the men in tuxes and half in suits. Informal night was hard to put my finger on. I felt fairly fine in a skirt, but I saw lots in dressy slacks type outfits. Casual nights were khakis (or country club casual). Please note, dinner in the dining room is not the time for jeans or shorts.
For my vegetarian folks, there were tons of options. Depending on what you are looking for there were currys, salads, pasta dishes, pizzas, and more that I’m sure I missed.
Yarn in Every Port:
There is a yarn store within walking distance of the ship at both Ketchikan and Juneau. They both carry Quivit and some really neat Alaskan yarns. I am currently speaking to both of them about the possibility of a cruise special. In Victoria we will visit Beehive again. I am going to warn you now — start a “yarn fund” now — it will be a stash enhancing experience.
Classrooms:
Sea Socks ‘07 people will remember dark rooms with walls that moved. Oh, no more. I’m working on rooms with a view and good light. Trust me, you guys are giving me the power to be very demanding and I’m working on making our group get what we need.
Coffee:
There is a coffee bar mid-ship. Yes, it is yummy. And the coffee in the dining room is rather strong — which was good since I seemed to be in the disco late into the evenings.
Worried about Sea Sickness?
As most people who know me, I get sick standing on the pier looking at a ship. I wear a patch for all cruises, even those smooth cruises that don’t tend to bother anyone. I turn green at the mention of it all. Ok, that said, I took my patch off during this cruise. I took it off because the water was like glass. All but two or three hours were in protected waters. For so much of the cruise we saw land on both sides of the ship.
Exicited yet?
Want some homework? Good. I need you all to help me out here — we are REALLY close to beating last year’s group in size. So, if each of you will work/push/beg just one of your friends to join us and book another cabin, we could do it. I’m promised that the more knitters we bring, the more we get for you. I’ve already gotten Value Booklets for on board savings. So, let’s gather our friends.
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The Mail Buoy