Paula Deen has some extra time on her hands after being fired from the Food Network, so she's using that time to go cruising. The cooking star has added a second "Paula Deen Cruise" in 2014.
According to USA Today, Deen was recently fired after it was revealed that she has used racial slurs, including the n-word. When asked about it, she admitted to using the words a long time ago. Under oath, she said "Yes, of course." Though she added, "It's been a very long time."
Deen released a video apology over the incident in which she asked for forgiveness and said she doesn't tolerate prejudice, but it was too late. The Food Network axed her and announced that it wouldn't renew her contract. Smithfield Foods also announced that it was dropping her as their spokeswoman. Other companies that are tied in with Deen are still deciding if they will let her go.
While businesses have decided to let the cooking star go, her fans continue to be in full support. They have flooded her restaurants and there was such a high demand for another Paula Deen cruise, that organizers added a second trip.
"Due to so many requests from Paula's fans in the past we are actually planning two cruises for 2014 and look forward to both," the news organization quotes an unnamed cruise representative. "It's always an amazing time with Paula, her family and fans. If she goes -- we go."
The cruises will be held on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas, but booking mostly goes through outside travel agencies.
"Royal Caribbean has never had a partnership or any formal association with Paula Deen," Cynthia Martinez, the company's director of global corporate communications told USA Today. "She has sailed with our brands a couple of times, but as host of group cruises, and each time, the groups were booked through a specific travel agency, not through Royal Caribbean."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
