Paula Deen Cruise Booms In Popularity, Royal Caribbean Adds New Departure

Paula Deen has seen her career take a big hit since admitting last week that she used the N-word in the past, but it appears the former Food Network host still has her cruise line to fall back on.

The country cooking celebrity admitted last week that she used racist slurs in jokes, and made statements that seemed to admire the days of slavery. It led to an immediate backlash, with the Food Network dropping her show and a host of sponsors dropping out.

Fox News reported that Smithfield bailed on the Paula Deen brand, and she also lost endorsements from QVC, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Random House, and Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment Corporation. There were also many more are all on the fence.

“Paula Deen is finished as a bankable personality,”  said crisis communications expert Gene Grabowski of Levick Strategic Communications. “It doesn’t appear that anyone will stand behind her now. Her video apologies seemed stage and were unpersuasive. There is nothing more she likely can do in terms of salvaging her career.”

Apparently Royal Caribbean customers disagree. The cruise line said its annual “Paula Deen Cruise” has gotten so many calls that they decided to add an extra departure in 2014.

“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,” a rep for the cruise told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “It’s always an amazing time with Paula, her family and fans. If she goes – we go.”

Paula Deen has also maintained a relationship with the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show, with appearances scheduled throughout the year.

“Paula Deen has been a friend of The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show for many years. She has apologized and we are taking her apology at her word and moving forward accordingly,” the show’s rep told Fox News. “The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show does not condone or believe in the use of derogatory slurs by anyone. This is a nation of forgiveness and second chances. In that spirit we intend to go forward with the MetroCooking Shows in Houston, Dallas and Washington, DC as planned with Paula as a presenter.”

Paula Deen is scheduled to appear on the Today show on Wednesday to talk about the situation.