This Ship has Sailed (Paula Deen Cruise 2013)

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This Ship has Sailed (Paula Deen Cruise 2013)

By Paula Deen

On January 27th the Paula Deen Cruise set sail on board the Royal Caribbean’s “Mariner of the Seas” with Ports of Call at three of the most beautiful places in the world: Honduras, Belize and Cozumel. It is truly a blessing for me to leave behind the dead of winter and get rejuvenated in the tropics. The beaches were breathtaking, the coral reefs were incredible and the partying with friends and family—well, what happens on the Paula Deen Cruise, stays on the Paula Deen Cruise.

But because I’m not so good with keepin’ secrets, I will spill the beans about a few of the highlights that made this cruise—our 5th annual—one of the best yet. To begin, I have to tell you that about 30 of my closest family and friends joined me on this cruise—a good number of them being the people I only get to see once a year, including a bunch of old high school friends. (‘Course, we aren’t actually old, but we do go way back.) A lot of them brought me sweet, sweet things; some of ‘em brought me cookbooks, one of my friends made me this beautiful purse with my initials on it in rhinestones, and my special friend Georgeanne made a doll with my face on it. I just love that doll. I’m going to put it up right in the store for everyone to see.

Then one night, my friend Doc surprised us when she came in my room wearing a horse’s head. Y’all heard me right: a horse’s head—like a mask. And I said, “Well we really have the horse’s ass with us now!” She has a real good sense of humor so we had a big laugh over it. That’s the kind of craziness I’ve come to look forward to when I’m traveling with my friends.

It was a family affair as well. Michael and Bubba prepared some of their favorite dishes and of course, I was there putting my two cents in.

The Deen Family Olympics was so much fun. At the orange-passing game, I started the line and had to pass an orange along without using my hands! Courtney, my make-up artist was shaking her booty to get the golf balls out of the tissue box that was strapped to her waist. That was a sight to see!

But in all seriousness, my favorite moment of the trip was when we held our annual auction and raised money for a very special cause that I’ll be sharing with y’all in the future. So while this wonderful trip with my friends and family changed my life, the money we raised will do so much more.

Without a doubt, it was a wonderful vacation y’all, but sometimes the best part about leaving is coming home to the life that I know and love. I adore the tropics, the sun, the beaches. But I adore coming home to Savannah even more. Yes, we have cobblestones instead of white sands, and kudzu instead of coral reefs. But nonetheless, it’s good to be back—refreshed, renewed and re-inspired.

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Reader Comments:

I just want to say,I absolutely adore and love Miss Paula.I am so thankful that I am able to watch you on Food Network...God Bless you..

By Melissa Walls on March 04, 2013

There was no Bobby and no Paula and Bobby cooking demo. Who wrote this story? Brandon?

By Anonymous on March 01, 2013

Fun fun was had by all on the cruise. The highlight for me was the charity auction. The spoon necklace I designed raised $600.00! I was so pleased! I saw lots of old friends and made tons of new ones. Looking forward to our next cruise to Alaska.

By Diane Cook on March 01, 2013

The cruise sounded and looked like such fun. And nothing better than family and friends around when you're having fun. I'm almost jealous as my children and their families live in other states but when my husband was' promoted to Heaven' nearly 10 years ago I elected to stay put. AR is a beautiful state and I love my church and home here.... But I love watching Paula cook with her sons and like watching them on their own too. What a blessing for all of them to be close! Keep doing the good cooking shows for us and I really like Pauls's new look too. She has always been beautiful and now the slimmer Paula is a knockout....I think men would agree. She has 'aged well'. I commend her for taking care of herself and losing weight and making all the adjustments I know she has made and is making to her recipes and for the 'guys' gettinga step ahead of her on this. I need to follow her encouragement on weight loss for sure. Sounds like a great time was had by all and cruisin for a good cause is terrific

By Marna Short on March 01, 2013

I thought it was a great cruise. I don't recall Bobby being there.

By Teresa on February 26, 2013

i love you and you recipes you inspyer me and give me great ideals wean i cook

By Darlene is building their Crystal Garden and needs on February 26, 2013

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This Ship has Sailed (Paula Deen Cruise 2013)