Paula's Cooking at Sea Cruise 10-6-13-2007

I would love to hear from those who went on this cruise. It was Wonderful but I did hear a lot of grumbling.

About

1. How Cruise One handled or "lacked" handling the events.

2. How there was a lack of Paula herself, except of course if you ran into her in the casino, and the body guard let you anywhere near her.

I would really like to hear what you guys felt about the handling of the whole thing and would you go again.

I would only sign up to go again because of the many, many lovely new people we meet through these. This group of people is about the nicest group of people I have met.

Lake Forest Cruiser

I was on the Paula Cookin at Sea cruise and speaking for myself, no, I would not pay the extra to be in the group again. I absolutely loved the cruise itself, but the Paula Deen events weren't what they were hyped up to be IMHO. I luv Paula Deen..don't get me wrong....but the fact that she was 30 mins late for the first to events that I was attending was a disappointment to me...made me feel as if they didnt think my time was as important as theirs was.

I felt at the photo op. and book signing that I was rushed through (except by Jamie who came out to the line and really talked to us) and hurried along so they could get it over with. Also felt that the small pics that we had to pay for should have been include..just my opinion mind you.

I didn't go to the last event and from what I hear I really didnt miss anything. I often thought while watchin all this during my cruise.."It's gotta be hard to be constantly approached by fans and expected to be sooooo happy to accomedate them and wear a smile at all times." Especially for a country girl from GA that's just tryin to make it and provide for her boys. I honestly felt like she's just like you and me but has got this reputation to uphold now. I personally couldn't do it. I luv my privacy too much.

But I must say I thought the overall cruise experience was soooo incredible...i'm totally hoooked. I loved it...especially having clean sheets every single night and I'm not the one that had to do the work...lol.

I still luv Paula and I think Jamie and Bobby are so cute(hottt) and have that southern gentleman charm that is genuine; and I feel like that is priceless. But I also felt like I was intruding on their vacation to be honest. And guess that's why I wouldnt do another cruise with a celebrity again. But we are def. gonna do another cruise.

Cool Cruiser, I was reluctant to say much the first post, as to not get flamed in case I was alone in my thoughts. ;)

But I got to tell you I feel the same way, and from the many, many woman my cousin and I spoke with so did they. A joke going around was if there is another cruise with Paula all excursions should be held in the Casino.!! That was really the only place to see her. The body guard was to extreme.:mad:

You are so right about the book singing, we had the Friday signing and I don,t think she even looked up. And what was up with the "COOKING" part of the COOKING WITH PAULA? What cooking? it was fun to be there and be a part of the group, and play What if, { we were second cooking class} but enough of her bladder problems and Aunt Peggy stuff. We know already! Poor Jamie was there trying to do the show for her.

We were all pretty upset to find ourselves on a hot humid beach for 2 hours with nothing to do, on the Booze cruise, and her having taken a cab back to the ship. I would like to have been on that cab back also. I heard she had been in the casino till 3 am the night before so I imagine she would be tired. But we paid with out hard earned money to be on a "Beach Party with Paula" not a boat ride and get dumped on a beach alone for 2 hours party.

At the final cocktail party we were talking with one of the team members for Cruise One and she mentioned how well it was all going, we told her flat out, she might as well know what was REALLY going on. And what the word was on the boat.

They need to realize when you have 1,100 . people signed up for an event, you need to break down the events to more manageable grouping, say 3 cocktail parties, 3 book signings ect what ever it takes. It was just way to big.

I can not say enough good things about the boat and the staff though.

You hit the nail on the head when you said felt like you were intruding on her vacation.

Which is just the opposite of Micheal and her sons. They really made you feel welcome and a part of the group.

I was also on the ship with the Paula group....however my experience was not quite the same....let me explain...First, I didn't go with the expectation that I would be talking to Paula in any "alone" setting, so when I did have an off chance to see her and she was alone I said hello and she would start a conversation (short one) Her bodyguard did stay close and I understood why....our cooking demo was fun (1st group), she did cook but talked more..lol Our pic signing was rushed and we had to stand "in front" of the table instead of behind it...my daughters pic didn't turn out at this time (they did however let us take another) Our time and pix with the boys/bubba were fun and we were able to chat with them...

I too felt like I was intruding on her vacation time though, and we had booked the Party Boat excursion too, but ended up not going because of the heat/now I'm glad we didn't go from what everyone has said it was not fun unless you were drinking alot (we don't drink sooooo)

However with all that being said.....we had a marvelous time. the ship was great/service great/food not so great...lol but we didn't starve

Would I do another Paula cruise? In a heartbeat...would I want a smaller group? of course.....and I have a few more suggestions maybe they could implement....I enjoyed meeting 1excitedcruiser/helenphillips/croozergirl!

I was really excited to see this cruise advertised in the fall and was preparing to book when something at my job made me change my plans. I was a little taken back by the cost, since you all know the upcharge amount was nearly 500.00 a person for the extras. Still I was game for this.

After reading the comments, I am glad I didn't go. Not that I think you should be afforded one on one time, it would be impossible. But I have sailed with other celebrities who really made the cruise special and made time for everyone. George Strait was a delight, and even Tanya Tucker was a ball. I realize they are different, but still it was a treat.

Maybe Cruise One will take notice and have things a little different for the next one.

Best place to see Paula is in the Casino. She and hubby love to gamble. However, she smokes too much. I was not with this group, but those that I met that were thought wearing the wristband was tacky. Especially when you are dressed up.

First let me begin by saying that I am totally hooked on cruising now. I loved it! The experience itself was marvelous. Maybe I expected too much from Paula but after all the hype and watching her on TV I thought she would be more down to earth, jovial, etc. I guess she just likes to chill on vacation like the rest of us. BUT, that being said, she did agree to do this cruise and surely she knew how many fans were signed up. I still love Paula and will continue to watch her shows. I don't think I will be going on the Paula Cooking at Sea cruise next year but I WILL cruise again and if it took Paula Deen to make me realize this I owe her a big ole southern thank you!!! I loved meeting IR Cruisin, Croozergirl and lovestosail...You guys were great!!

Interesting, I was thinking this cruise would have been fun to do too. I would have thought she could be a little more attentive since it was on a cruise ship and not the every day distractions of the world around.

I love her sons, glad to hear they were fun. That is really a shame, I was on the one day benefit sailing for Freedom of the Seas when Giada DeLaurentis was filming her show, she was all over the ship and very personable, so I kind of thought paula would be the same way.

I am so glad that I did not book this cruise. I can understand that it was her vacation but she also had a commitment to the people that booked this specific cruise. If she could stay in the casino till 3a.m. then she could of spent more time with her fans! Sometimes it is better to admire your star from afar then up close & personal.

I dont know Paula deen. I have never seen her on TV. There were Lots of Paula Deen Groupies on our 10/6 Liberty of the Seas cruise. I feel like I saw more of her than they did. She ate with her family most nights on Deck 11 in Chops grill. with No body guard that I saw. Just 2 bearded men and two 30ish men and wives. a few others. She was nice and talkative. Perhaps its because I had no clue who she was until the last night when I walked by yhe pool and asked someone what the Party /contest was. They explained it was a Paula look alike contest.... I asked which one was Paula... This lady pionted her out to me as if I was from another planet... Then I noticed... This is the same lady that eats at chops grill most every night with us!

I guess you could say she was either hiding out from the 1500 plus dinner zoo or going for the better food and dinner service on the ship. I think Chops only held 40 of us for dinner each night!

I saw enough of Paula Deen on the cruise and I was not on the Cookin with Paula Cruise! She hit a good slots jackpot I hear!

I am so glad that I did not book this cruise. I can understand that it was her vacation but she also had a commitment to the people that booked this specific cruise. If she could stay in the casino till 3a.m. then she could of spent more time with her fans! Sometimes it is better to admire your star from afar then up close & personal.

Based on these posts, it seems to me that perhaps the problem stemmed from the idea that a few of you have mentioned - that it was her vacation. Honestly, it should not have been. It's a promotional event for which she was undoubtedly paid (or a least got a free cruise). If you want a vacation you don't invite 1100 fans and their expectations to come with you. The idea that she's just a simple Southern gal and wouldn't realize this is suspect - anyone with a multi-million dollar TV and cookbook empire has a staff who sets this type of thing up. I feel bad for those who paid the extra $$ for the "Paula Deen" aspect of the cruise (although I'm glad to hear you all enjoyed the cruise aspect of it) - sounds like she's just really unprofessional.

I was on the cruise but not part of the Paula party. I had already booked before I found out about her special group cruising. Out of curiosity I checked the price and it was $800 more pp than what I paid several months ago. They said there were 1100 people in this group, 1/3 of the boat!

I talked to several people during the cruise who were thoroughly enjoying the group cruise. They had to break up their cooking sessions and meet and greets to several different sessions and days because there were so many people.

I also was told she won $27k on a slot machine, not sure if that was true or not.

I just found the website that had the info on this cruise. They still had a few cabins listed with prices. A D1 was listed at $1762.00 per person. No way. This wasn't even a charter. Someone got paid some big bucks for doing this cruise. My bet is Paula came off with a nice clump of change along with the TA.

Best place to see Paula is in the Casino. She and hubby love to gamble. However, she smokes too much. I was not with this group, but those that I met that were thought wearing the wristband was tacky. Especially when you are dressed up.

She smokes alot?? And eats all that butter?????? OHMY!!:eek: Her poor heart..

Anyway, what wristband??:confused:

People in the group had to wear wristbands to sit or get into the events that were planned for this group. If you took it off I was told you couldn't get another one.

I dont know Paula deen. I have never seen her on TV. There were Lots of Paula Deen Groupies on our 10/6 Liberty of the Seas cruise. I feel like I saw more of her than they did. She ate with her family most nights on Deck 11 in Chops grill. with No body guard that I saw. Just 2 bearded men and two 30ish men and wives. a few others.

 

I saw enough of Paula Deen on the cruise and I was not on the Cookin with Paula Cruise! She hit a good slots jackpot I hear!

We saw her in Chops and in the Casino as well. She seemed to be pleasant even though we were not involved with the group. We also saw her hubby at the Mobay Margaritaville.

I suspect that she did not know that people paying such a premium were going to have a greater expectation of social interaction.

Oh, and how about that Paula Deen table cloth in the main dining rooom? Only to go unused many evenings.

Based on these posts' date=' it seems to me that perhaps the problem stemmed from the idea that a few of you have mentioned - that it was her vacation. Honestly, it should not have been. It's a promotional event for which she was undoubtedly paid (or a least got a free cruise). If you want a vacation you don't invite 1100 fans and their expectations to come with you. The idea that she's just a simple Southern gal and wouldn't realize this is suspect - anyone with a multi-million dollar TV and cookbook empire has a staff who sets this type of thing up. I feel bad for those who paid the extra $$ for the "Paula Deen" aspect of the cruise (although I'm glad to hear you all enjoyed the cruise aspect of it) - sounds like she's just really unprofessional.[/quote']Interesting thread. I'm from near Savannah and have heard that Paula charges $100,000 per appearance so wonder if she was paid or just got the Royal Suite for free. Sounds like many of the group liked cruising and hopefully RCCL, that they will become repeat cruisers.

My opinion about celebrities is this: Enjoy what you see and like about them on TV or whatever. Don't ever go to meet them. They are human and have lives like the rest of us and they, more times then not, will fall short of your expectations.

Just expressing my opinion, thats all.

As for my wife and I we would like to meet Paula but only on her invitation, not on a theme cruise. I hope that there are some who have warm stories about her and her sons. They all made good out of a less than perfect (before fame) life.

That being said, I think that I could enjoy a fishing or crabbing trip with her husband! He seems to be grounded and settled among all the business of the family careers!:D

Hey everyone, I have posted about this before, but after reading some more reviews I wanted to share some stories from the Paula cruise...after we heard that there were 1100 people on board to see Paula we knew our time would be very limited with her. Our first experience was at the Sat cocktail party where we were able to get up to get pictures and talk a minute to Bobby and Jamie, Paula was swamped. Bobby and Jamie were wonderful to us. After that night we saw or ran into them pretty often and they always spoke with us....we did see Paula quite a few times in the casino, and she always had a smile and a word or two with us. My daughters picture did not turn out on the first "pix/auto" session, so we spoke to the photographer and bodyguard who both told us to come back and we could get another, we went back on the last day and stood in line, my DD was wearing a "Florida Gator" shirt, we got great pix with Paula and Michael, then moved over to Bobby and Jamie....they hate the Gators so their expressions were priceless.....first pic they tried to cover up the "florida" on her shirt...the second Bobby put his hand over the word....and finally they signed her shirt on the back....she was ECSTATIC!! This made the trip for her...then that night in the casino, not many people there, I had won some $$$ and was going to cash my ticket when we turned around and saw that Paula had won some more $$$$, while we stood there to see how much..she got up and we had a great conversation and got our picture with her.....afterwards I realized that I had put my arm around her (we were told not to "touch" her from many many people, that she didn't like that at all) soooooooooo I apologized to her and she looked at us in amazement and said "who told ya'll that?" we explained and she said "that's ridiculous, I'm a touchy, feely person and I don't mind others being that way too" we laughed with her and then went our way....this is when we knew that the whole "not approachable, no touching, needs private time" was a bunch of hooey....she is just like us, she remembers where she came from and since she came into fame late in life I don't think it will spoil her, she is who she is....no more, no less and her family is just the same.....I think the reason everyone on the group cruise was dissatisfied was more with the "structure" of the time with Paula. Do I think it could have been done differently? Of course, but it did not ruin my cruise, my family had a blast and I would go again tomorrow:D

This is all just my opinion and I'm sure not everyone would agree, but I did have some good moments with Paula and wanted to share them. Michael was warm and friendly at all times too, and my husband had a long conversation with Brandon's (her assistant) father, who gave us some insight on the rigid schedule Paula has to keep, so that helped us too.

Yes I know she got paid very very well to be on this cruise, and yes the TA did also, but I knew when I booked the cabin that this was going to be expensive, and with all these people we might not get a chance to talk to her very much, plus you had to add those persons who were not in Cookinatsea group who knew Paula and wanted to talk with her too..so all in all we had a great time and did not feel cheated in the least, I am sorry for those folks who did, I'm sure I would have felt the same frustration had the above mentioned things not happened...and I too would have felt cheated when I paid so much more $$$ for a cabin because of it.

Could bpmac112166 and/or lakeforestcruiser email me if they have a chance I have some questions on the Paula's Cooking at Sea Cruise, thanks.

JSnyder at crowncast dot org

Oops I had forgotten that I had already posted on this thread, there are more than this about the Paula cruise...please forgive me! All in both posts are true, I did feel that the stuff was rushed, and that I was intruding, only on the last day/nite did anything really "good" happen to make us not feel cheated for the money we spent......please forgive my double post :o

I don't feel that I was cheated at all. I feel very lucky actually!!! Maybe it was the fact that I was in the casino every nite till close or maybe I was there when they opened till close. Yeah that was it. Did well won about $6000.00 first night won $3000.00 so not long after that I got a VIP card which meant I didn't have to pay for a drink in the casino. :) All the dealers and servers knew Hubby and I very well. I only feel cheated cause I paid to go on the tour with the Deen Boys and I could get my butt out of the bed. Also missed her cooking demo due to the same reason. Oh well, no need to dwell on that as Paula and her entire family and crew we were all on first name bases. I have lots of photos to post as soon as I get hubby to delete some. LOL!!!! We were all at the same table the last night of sailing Paula, Michael, Uncle Bubba, Her DR. my Hubby and me. We really got to know this family and they are just like the rest of us on vacation having a good time. When we left the ship and got our luggage on our way to catch a cab Michael hollered for us to come over and they all hugged us again and told us bye and they had better see our A$$es in Savannah soon. That made my day. Cause as you all know leaving that beautiful ship is depressing. I will try to get a review up and photos. Got ???? twiggyvea at aol dot com. Too Paula and her family I think they are just as great as alot of other people I met on this cruise.

Do any of you know where I can go on the web and purchase the book signing pics? I read somewhere you could go to the photographer's website, take a look, and purchase but I can't find my info sheet! I have called Cruise One but apparently everyone took off this week too! Thanks!:) :)

Oh please savvy Paula Deen cruisers, I really want to look at these pics!:(

I have it at home. If you havent gotten your answer by the time i get home from work I'll tell you what it is ok. I dont remember right off top of my head though.