Patricia April 7th, 2008

Ok, here’s the deal — one of our group called this morning and said, “I want to do the Photo Safari in Juneau, but I’m wondering about the times through Shore Trips.”  I offered to call and find out so here’s the deal — if we have 6 people, we can pick whatever time we want to go (I suggest 10am, but that’s me).  We have TWO right now.

Cost is $174.00 and learn more about the tour here: http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search4.asp?rcode=PNW&lcode=JUN&tcode=023105

Ok, but DON’T book it online.  Call me or e-mail me — this way we get the right group pulled together.  I would need a head count by Friday.

Who is in?

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Patricia April 2nd, 2008

I know so many people are wondering, but documents are here at my office.  They arrived in a box that I think I might be able to live in — so there’s many, many documents in there.

I’m making my way through, kind of like a Sock Knitting Santa (checking my list twice), and getting them turned around to you.  I predict this total process will take me a week.  I plan on sending a batches daily, no idea on the order — though I think Canada and Wales will go first — borders seem to take longer to get over.

Now, I’m going to say this once — there is alot of information in this packet — I’m sorry.  I’ve tried to break it apart in small chunks, but this is the packet you need to read and double check.  Please note there is stuff in this packet you need to have with you on the cruise.  If you have any questions, I’m here to help you.

Over the next few weeks, watch this blog.  I promise packing lists, ideas, a podcast that is Sea Socks specific, and teasers about ‘09.  (Oh how I can not wait to tell you about ‘09.)

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Patricia March 24th, 2008

Hi, it’s me again.  The ever changing world has lead me to this one little thing…you know how I said in this post there would be an On Board Credit for the $35 per person fuel charge — for those booked before 11/15/07??  Remember those heady days of when I said, it would be “automatic”??

Well, it seems that Celebrity screwed up (in YOUR favor) this time.  It seems that they are rolling out refund of $35 per person (provided you paid the fuel charge) across the board.  Ahem — so if you see a random credit on your card, this is what this is.  No longer will there be credit for some — no the refund applies to ALL!!  Yes, I said all!

They are processing these now and will be posting over the next 10ish days.  Enjoy the cash/credit now.

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Patricia March 24th, 2008

First, don’t forget to check out the links to right with the  Goody Bags & Door Prizes in the blogroll. These are folks who have donated to the door prizes and goody bags thus far and more keeps coming in daily.   

I had to share this little piece of good news.  Late last week, I went to pick-up some yarny goodness from Muench Yarns.  Now the owner, the fabulous Kirsten, filled the back end of my car with stuff us.  I was actually speechless when I saw the items just go in and in. 

Nope, I’m sorry, but what exactly is waiting to be put in bags and shipped is a major secret, but let me tell you that I hope you are all blown away by the generousity of Muench.  But here’s the best part…

I asked (as I always do) “What do you want me to promote to the group?”  Kirsten looked at me and said, “Tell them to support their local yarn shops.  Times are tough right now and the yarn shops in their area need their help.”  (And it wouldn’t hurt if you asked them to bring you ggh and Muench Yarns and those YUMMY Rebecca patterns.)

How sweet is this??

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Patricia March 18th, 2008

EDITED at the bottom.

For those who don’t know, I’m a worrier. Yes, I worry about lots and lots of things — which I promise that I won’t bore you with here (though of current knitting worry is that I’ll finish my sweater in time for the ‘08 cruise). However, when I put together Sea Socks ‘07, I worried that no one would want to join me. I worried so much that I doubt I slept until the first person called me. For Sea Socks ‘08, I didn’t worry (BIG mistake) and promptly had the original picked out option canceled on me only to find that I could do something even better and more exciting. (Yes, I worried when I had to change plans; I worried while I changed everything; and even though I’m completely sure it was the best thing ever — I still worry.)

All of this worry brings me gray hair (trust me, I have an excellent guy), a coffee/sweets addiction, and to the planning of Sea Socks ‘09.

From the beginning, I have had it in my mind that Sea Socks would be a yearly cruise, going to new places and offering new things. But now I’m trying to pick exactly the right trip for my Sea Socks buddies and keep wondering if straying too far.

To that end, I’ve put up a little poll (can you see it on the right?). What I want to get an idea of is WHY you picked Sea Socks over all the other knitting cruises out there. I’d love it if you’d leave me a comment explaining what it was that spoke to you to pick this one.

I have some outstanding ideas for next year, but I want to know what your thoughts are before I commit to the Sea Socks ‘09 cruise.

(I know that most of you haven’t experienced Sea Socks at all yet, but I’m looking more at the decision making process that brought us all together. If you waiting for the news of Sea Socks ‘09, what is it that you’d like to see.)

Thank you in advance. I really appreciate the help.

Edited to Add:

Ok, I’ve been unclear and I knew that and you guys are awesome because I know you WANT to help and yet you don’t know what I’m dealing with.  So, here’s the basic question, I have a few choices of where (and how much) next year will cost — here’s what I’m up against:

1. Go someplace completely new and different.  Seriously, the cruise is awesome in its awesomeness.  BUT, the prices for the inside and outside cabins are slightly higher and the balconies are um, rather more.  BUT — it would be about the coolest thing ever.  (But this is nearly a grand cheaper than another knitting cruise that goes to the same general area — so there’s something.)

2. Go back to Alaska (but I worry about the fact that we are doing this in ‘08) that there is a been there done that feeling.  If this is best thought — do we think about a one -way up to Anchorage with an optional cruisetour?

3. Find a less expensive cruise — with probably more ‘average’ ports of call.

4. Chuck it all out the window and go to Europe regardless of cost?

(Michael is going to cringe because I’m betting he is thinking I giving too much away, but I have hold the cabins by April 1 and I’ve been restless trying to predict the future.)

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Patricia March 11th, 2008

This announcement only applies to those who booked their Sea Socks cabin prior to November 15, 2007. 

Celebrity (along with many other lines) announced yesterday that they would be refunding all fuel supplements charged to those bookings made prior to November 15th.  This means that if you paid the deposit before 11/15/07 you will get a $35 per person shipboard credit on board.

They (Celebrity) is handling this credit process and it is 100% based on the date of your booking.  If you are wondering if it applies to you let me know and I’ll look it up for you. 

If you are not in this group, I’m terribly sorry.  This refund is because these early booking people were not advised of the fuel supplement when they booked the cruise and that is not the case post November 15th. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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Patricia February 20th, 2008

soonish.

Well, I don’t know how else to tell you this, but I am no longer taking new bookings for Sea Socks ‘08.  So, if you were waiting until the very last minute, it has past.  I’m sorry.

However, I’m pleased to tell you that there will be a Sea Socks ‘09 — no the details aren’t ready yet (who do you think I am ‘Wonderwoman’?) but booking will open up for those who are not on Sea Socks ‘08 on the 22nd of May.

If you are on Sea Socks ‘08, you will have an opportunity to book on board.  Enough talk about Sea Socks ‘09, we must begin to focus on our joys and excitement for Sea Socks ‘08.

I have begun to receive the door prizes here in prep for shipping to the ship.  Yes, they are amazing!!  Yes, you will love them.  Yes, Michael is trying to hold me back from buying from our generous sponsors.

Off to go buy goody bags!!!

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Patricia February 16th, 2008

One of the things I truly love about this cruise (and trust me, when it isn’t final payment week, I’m normally much more chipper) is that so many people pitch in to help in so many unique ways.  This is just one of those stories.

About a week ago, I got a call from fellow cruiser Beth who wanted to know if I’d have a problem with her idea to run a contest.  Um, no — so Go Beth and Cindy!!!

Announcing…
The Sea Socks Felted Slipper Contest!
 So what do a bunch of wild and crazy knitters wear on their feet to a pajama party at sea?  Why, felted slippers, of course!  They will keep your toes toasty, contribute to the general savoir faire  of your pajama outfit,  serve as conversation starters — and add a smidgeon of competitiveness to our shared adventure at sea. Knit yourself a groovy pair of slippers, then felt ‘em, embellish ‘em, pack ‘em, and bring ‘em on the Sea Socks 08 Cruise! Wear your slippers to the Sea Socks Pajama Party on Tuesday, May 13 (edited to add — date may change as the schedule becomes more final),  and step right up to show them off. Sea Sock Cruisers Cindi Unmack & Beth Callahan will admire everyone’s felted slippers, talk it over, maybe argue and lobby a bit, then ultimately award prizes in the following categories:
v Best Theme Slippers   (“Sea Socks,” of course!)
v Best Embellished Design  (Add-ons to the basic felted slipper)
v Best Intrinsic Design  (Knitted-in designs, such as stripes)
v Cruisers’ Choice Award (You be the judge!)
  Rules:
1.   Slippers must be present to win.
2.   Slippers must be worn by a Sea Socks participant.3.   Slippers must be knitted, then felted (fulled).
4.   The opinion of the judges is final, no matter how much chocolate & yarn you offer them. (But don’t let that stop you from trying.)
  Prizes!     Prizes!    Prizes!

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Patricia February 14th, 2008

…I have been flooded by mail, e-mail, and phone calls since Thursday last week.  In fact, I’m writting this note to let you all know that I am here and I’m trying to dig through it all.  If I’m slow getting back to you, please forgive me and know I won’t declare you a pest if you keep calling. 

However, I don’t want anyone to panic.  By the end of this weekend, I will be sending everyone who is paid in full and I have their forms an e-mail confirming this fact.  I will be calling anyone (but given my mail, this won’t be many calls) not paid.  In other words, if I don’t call you, it is a good thing.

There are a few of you — and you know who you are, who don’t even have your packets yet.  First, forgive me.  Second, they are coming.  You will not be in trouble because I’m late.

I will update you all on how many of us there are and other fun facts in about a week.  If you have any questions, please don’t worry about calling me.  I am in the office trying to find the bottom of my mail pile and get return calls out.  I’m late on both counts.  For the record, my hours are 8am to 5pm Pacific, though I will almost always answer my phone in the late evenings. 

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Michael January 22nd, 2008

I apologize for the big and loud headline for this post - but the information here is extremely important.

While we still have a few months before we sail now is a good time to make sure that you understand the documentation requirements that both Celebrity Cruises as well as the US and Canadian Governments require for passengers. If there is documentation that you need but don’t have yet, you still have plenty of time. I can’t stress this enough, if you do not have the proper documentation with you when you check in for your cruise - you can and very likely will be denied boarding. That’s something we don’t want to happen to anyone.

For US Citizens the latest information on documentation requirements can always be found at http://travel.state.gov/ However the requirements that will be in place for US and Canadian citizens on the day we depart are:

U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a passport, passport card, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, or a U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document (Don’t sweat it if you don’t know what SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST is). Alternatively a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate will be accepted.

You should have the original birth certificate with a raised seal or a certified copy - photo copies of birth certificates may not be accepted.

Passport card applications will be accepted starting February 1st and you are welcome to apply for one, however the first cards are expected to be delivered in “Spring 2008″ so there’s no guarantee that you would have your passport card in time for the sailing.

You are required to have proper documentation regardless of whether you intend to get off the ship in any of the ports we visit or not.

It is essential that you have the required documentation when you check in for the cruise. If you are denied boarding due to improper documentation Celebrity Cruises will not refund your cruise fare, nor is such a denied boarding covered by travel insurance. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that you bring the required documentation with you.

I hate to have to make such an ominous post, however neither Patricia nor I want to have anybody left on the pier as the ship is sailing away because they didn’t have the proper documentation with them.

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