Oh my, We Have Sponsors

Yesterday afternoon, I had the joy of meeting Matt (the COO) and Sam (Account Manager) from Unicorn Books. Now, you may not know who Unicorn Books is, but I'm willing to bet you have some thing from them. Do you happen to have (or have heard of) the Not Just Socks books? Yep, that's Unicorn. Do you own Meilenweit Sock Yarn? Yep, Unicorn is the sole distributor of Lana Grossa in the US. And to top it off, Sam and Matt are truly great guys -- even if they don't knit themselves (Yes, I asked).
Anyway, they have kindly agreed to put stuff in each on of your goody bags. While I'm not at liberty to tell you exactly what (you are going to have to trust me that it is good and something I'm thrilled about), I will assure you that Unicorn's support is a major positive push for our cruise. They could not be more supportive of this cruise; they could not be more excited for this cruise; and I'm hoping that with a little encouragement we could get these guys to come join us. Afterall, wouldn't you want the ear of a yarn company AND book distributor for 5 days?
Oh, and one thing I will tell you -- just in case someone has started to pack yet -- the fine guys at Unicorn are GIVING us some ball winders and shifts so that we can knit Mama E's Yarn on the ship without cussing about having to wind by hand. No, there will not be one for everyone in your goodie bag -- but I think it is worth a huge thank you!!
In case you wanted to know more about Unicorn, here's their marketing blurb:

Unicorn Books & Crafts has been family owned and operated since 1978 in
Petaluma, California. Specializing in needlework and textile books, they stock
over 3,000 titles from all publishers, as well as self published titles you can
not find anywhere else.
You may also be interested to know that Unicorn Books & Crafts is the exclusive US importer for Lana Grossa yarn. Most well known in this country for their self patterning Meilenweit sock yarn, they also stock a wide range of Lana Grossa luxury hand knitting yarns. From basics to fashionable novelties they offer something for everyone, including stylish pattern support.
Additionally Unicorn Books & Crafts is your largest source for the best in textile winding equipment. They carry a variety of shifts and winders as well as recently adding a line of bamboo needles and notions. Their goal is to be a complete one-stop shopping source for the best in all textile related products.

Now, the next amazing piece of news is that Beehive Wool Shop is showing the love too. I am thrilled to announce that anyone going on EITHER of the Victoria shore excursions will get a Beehive Wool Shop Goody Bag. (Hello, can we have too many goody bags of knitting fun??) I'm not even sure myself what will be in it, but I can tell you that Canadian Sock knitter Katherine Foster will also be at the shop for a short talk and everyone will be helping you find those great Canadian yarns -- read Fleece Artist.

And finally, the list would be incomplete without sharing two more companies who are supporting us. When we nail down exactly how, trust me I will share. However, I have firm committments from both Crystal Palace Yarns and Marin Fiber Arts to be a part of this cruise adventure.

Just a final sidenote everyone, I just want to let everyone know that this whole sock knitting cruise idea started because I love to knit socks and I happen to be a cruise planner. My heart is truly warmed by talking to each of you thus far. I know that over the upcoming months will only make my love for you grow. However, (I almost said "never in my wildest dreams" which isn't true -- my dreams are fairly wild, but let's leave it as...) I'm thrilled with the outpouring of support from both you the knitter and the yarn companies, yarn shops, and writers/teachers/designers. Without exception, when I have talked to anyone about this cruise, I've been met with nothing but awesome support and even better ideas. I say all of this as a way of thanks, but also to kindly suggest supporting our sponsors. I've added links to them all on the left, please click, shop, and learn.

As always, I'm here if you need me for anything -- might I suggest a small cruise as a warm up ;)

Yes, we have some excursions

I am PLEASED to announce that after much work on the details, we have choices for excursions for you. If you are interested in any of these, please e-mail me at seasocks@REMOVETHISgmail.com or call 888-286-9827. If you want more details, please let me know.

Please note, I'm still working on something for San Francisco, but that announcement should be coming soon.

For the Victoria, BC stop (this will be May 3rd):
Please choose between one of the these options. Both are designed to give you both a great shopping experience in the yarn shop as well as actually getting an feel of Victoria. I've been to almost every place in both tours and I can tell you that you will not be disappointed.

Garden Tour:
Motor coach transfer from Cruise Ship terminal to Butchart Gardens with a Victoria City tour on the way. Group will have lunch at the Dining Room Restaurant at Butchart Gardens. Group will tour Butchart Gardens on own and depart for the Beehive Wool Shop for a two hour stop. Coach return group to Cruise Ship terminal.

Tea Tour:
Motor coach transfer from Cruise Ship terminal to Beehive Wool Shop for a two hour stop. Coach will continue on to Oak Bay with a scenic tour, shopping and High Tea at Blethering Place in Oak Bay including a English Gift Pack. Coach will depart Oak Bay and drop off group at the BC Experience then return group to Cruise Ship terminal.

Both excursions cost $86.25 per person. A deposit of $43 is due when you book it and the balance is due with the final payment of the cruise, February 1st. Booking early will ensure a spot in the tour of your choice as neither tour can accommodate the whole group, but between the two of them everyone should have space. This tour is not operated by Royal Caribbean and can not be booked via them.

Post Cruise Packages:
We have three to choose from here depending on what your needs might be.
May 4th Transfer to Seattle with Sightseeing and Shopping:
(this is perfect if you want to catch a red-eye out of Seattle the night the cruise ship arrives)
Motor coach transfer from Cruise Ship terminal to Capilano Suspension Bridge for a 1.5 hour stop. Coach will continue on to Granville Island for two hours of shopping time and lunch (on own). Coach will depart Granville Island at 2:30 PM and arrive at SeaTac Airport at approximately 6:30 PM (depending on border crossing and traffic).

Price is $84 per person. A deposit of $42 is due when you book it and the balance is due with the final payment of the cruise, February 1st. Booking early will ensure a spot in the tour of your choice as neither tour can accommodate the whole group, but between the two of them everyone should have space. This tour is not operated by Royal Caribbean and can not be booked via them.

Amtrak Train to Seattle with Hotel:
Day 1: May 4th, 2007
♦ Motor coach transfer from Cruise Ship terminal to Robson Street for a 2 hour stop for shopping. Coach will continue on a City Tour with a stop at Granville Island. Coach will drop off group at 4:45 PM at Pacific Central Station for 6:00 PM departure to Seattle. ♦ Transfer from King Street Station to the Sheraton Hotel. ♦ Overnight accommodations in Seattle at the Sheraton Hotel.
Day 2: May 5th, 2007
♦ Make your own way to SeaTac Airport.

Price is $223.25 per person. A deposit of $110 is due when you book it and the balance is due with the final payment of the cruise, February 1st. Booking early will ensure a spot in the tour of your choice as neither tour can accommodate the whole group, but between the two of them everyone should have space. This tour is not operated by Royal Caribbean and can not be booked via them.

Two Night in Vancouver and Amtrak to Seattle:
Day 1: May 4th, 2007
♦ Motor coach transfer from Cruise Ship terminal-Holland America for a City Tour with a stop at Granville Island. Coach will drop off at the Delta Vancouver Suites. ♦ Overnight accommodations in Vancouver at the Delta Vancouver Suites.
Day 2: May 5th, 2007
♦ Shopping and sightseeing on own ♦ Overnight accommodations at the Delta Vancouver Suites.
Day 3: May 6th, 2007
♦ Group will take taxis at 4:30 PM to Pacific Central Station (not included in package price). ♦ Group to arrive at Pacific Central station at 4:50 PM train departs Vancouver at 6:00 PM and arrives in Seattle at approx. 10:05 PM. ♦ Motor coach transfer from King Street Station to the Gateway Airport Hotel. ♦ Overnight accommodations at the Gateway Airport Hotel.
Day 4: May 7th, 2007
♦ Complimentary shuttle from hotel to SeaTac Airport.

Price is $297.75 per person. A deposit of $150 is due when you book it and the balance is due with the final payment of the cruise, February 1st. Booking early will ensure a spot in the tour of your choice as neither tour can accommodate the whole group, but between the two of them everyone should have space. This tour is not operated by Royal Caribbean and can not be booked via them.

Opinion Time

Hi again. Since my last post, I've gotten information about the excursions I've been working on. However, before I announce your options, I need your opinions. This is NOT a commitment, just a poll for an opinion.

Two simple questions, mostly cause I need a head count:

1. How many of you would be interested in extending your stay in Vancouver by two nights? Other than YARN, would you be interested in a tour or being on your own?
   
2. If you are seeking to save some money, one of the ways is to fly from Seattle instead of Vancouver. If I pulled a tour together of some of Vancouver and the trip to Seattle (plan that this would put you in late enough to take a red-eye home if you are on the east coast), are you interested? Would you prefer if it included a night in a hotel in Seattle so you could take an AM flight?

Ok, that was more like four simple questions. If neither of these ideas appeals, let me know what might or if you plan to fly out on Friday without really stopping in Vancouver or Seattle.

This will help me tell the folks doing the planning how many to plan for and possibly share a target price range.

Asking a lot aren't I?

Life is in the Details

Happy Monday all.
I can see from Amy's ticker, we are fast approaching the 9 and a half month mark. I know that I'm in some state between "April is NEVER going to be here" and "Oh, my, I don't have ANY time left." Trust me -- it is probably best that no one sees both these thoughts cross my mind at the same time.

There's a wee bit of news:
The first news is that my company has started a podcast. We are hoping to do weekly updates on all the group cruises, so feel free to check us out here. What is posted is our first podcast, so, please be kind and gentle -- know it can only get better.

In other news, as of right this second, I have in the mail all the confirmations for anyone who has booked thus far!! This is pretty major since all total there are something close to 50 of us. If you do not have in your own hand a copy of your confirmation by Friday of this week, and you just KNOW you booked a cabin, please let me know. To my few friends in Canada, please give it a little longer -- but they are on their way too.

If you would like some flyers to take to your own personal knit nights (what ever your group calls them), shoot me an e-mail; tell me how many you need and an address to send them to. I will be thrilled to send them on their way to you.

Finally, I must remind everyone of the passport issue. As of 12/31/2006, you MUST have a passport to enter Mexico, the Caribbean, and (of importance to us) Canada. It is key that you also have 6 months at least remaining before the passport expires. So, if your passport is set to expire in June '07, please renew it a bit early so you won't face any issues in Canada. This is the rule as of today, it is subject to change; but a small piece of advice, go on and get your passport now -- avoid the stress -- plus when you see that awesome deal to go to Europe for more yarn -- you could leave on a moment's notice! This site will help you walk through the details.

Back to the fun. We will have a great time on board the ship. We will learn so much from Amy, Eunny, and Erin. I can't wait for April and I look forward to meeting you all.

Being Scooped and Scooping...

Hello all. I'm *SO* sorry I've been gone too long. I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Seattle and Victoria, BC. First, I happen to love Seattle and did much shopping while I was there.

But as part of my little trip, I was working for our Sea Socks Cruise. I took the Victoria Clipper up to Victoria for an overnight stay. Let me say that scouting out Victoria is one of the "hardships" of my job that I'm willing to endure. ;) Ok, so not so much a hardship and a complete joy. I accomplish two very important tasks that I think you might be interested in. First, I spoke to the fine folks at BeeHive Wool Shop about hosting us while we are there. Details will be forthcoming, but let me say they are thrilled that each and everyone of us is coming. I scouted out the Fleece Artist yarn too -- and let me tell you I only refrained from rolling around in it because I had already told the shop owners who I was. :D

The second thing I was able to do is start working with a company to build exclusive shore excursions for us. I have two companies who will be in a bidding war over our business, so may best package win!!

So that's my scoop. But did you hear, I got scooped AGAIN? Yep, Mama E announced it, but Eunny Jang will be joining our adventure. But she's isn't just joining us -- she will be one of our teachers and will share with us all sorts of things. I'm hoping if I knit near her, my stitches will improve. I'm delighted that she's joining us. If you don't know, she will have a book out later next year -- so this is your chance to meet her before she tours the world!!