Paula Deen Sets Sail

Food Network superstar Paula Deen is hitting the high seas on the Paula Deen Cruise, in January 2013 for a seven-night journey of Southern comfort around Central America.

The trip, aboard a chartered Royal Caribbean ship, the Mariner of the Seas, will be a family affair, with Deen’s husband Michael and son Bobby joining her. The special cruise, which is independent of Royal Caribbean and run by Alice Travel, an independent tour operator, will sail between Galveston, Texas, and Cozumel, Mexico, with stops in Roatan, Honduras, and Belize City, Belize, from Jan. 27 to Feb. 3.

Though Paula Deen is not cooking on the ship, she is hosting a savory slew of events and demonstrations for passengers, such as question-and-answer sessions and Not Your Mama's Meals', where her son Bobby Deen will be taking some of Deen’s high-calorie dishes and explaining how to modify them into healthier recipes.

The Deen family, including Deen’s husband, son, and Uncle Bubba, are also hosting a Super Bowl party, where former defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills Bob Tatarek will take questions from cruise ship passengers.

Additional bonuses for passengers on the ship are personalized gifts from Deen, goody bags, private cocktail parties, and photos with the culinary star.

Tickets for the Paula Deen Cruise start at $1,980 for a single occupancy cabin. Passengers can also purchase tickets for a pre-cruise party at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort, where guests can feast on a Texas barbecue dinner for $35.

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