Rosie O’Donnell boards ship with one of her kids for inaugural gay family cruise, which the former talk-show host promoted.οΎ
Ahoy, the USS Rosie!
Hundreds of gay and lesbian families from across the country donned leis and beachwear as they set sail yesterday on Rosie O’Donnell’s first-ever gay family cruise.
The weeklong voyage from New York to Florida and the Bahamas drew travelers willing to fork over between $999 and $15,000 for a chance to meet other families led by same-sex couples.
“My 3-year-old daughter is so excited. She said, ‘Are there going to be other families with two mommies and two daddies?'” said Lyn Moorefield, 46, a high school teacher from Long Beach, Calif., who was with her partner and their two children, ages 3 and 1.
“We had to be here – it’s history-making,” she added as they boarded at Pier 88, near W. 48th St.
Cruisegoers gaped as they caught a glimpse of the glitzy new Norwegian Cruise lines boat, which features 10 restaurants and a camp for kids and teens.
“This is our first vacation since before she was born. We thought – what a perfect way to do it,” said Jane Fantel, a real-
estate agent from San Diego, who was traveling with her 2-year-old daughter and her partner.
O’Donnell, a former talk-show host, was on board for the ship’s maiden run.
The comedian founded R Family Vacations with her longtime partner, Kelli Carpenter O’Donnell, to promote getaways that are gay family-friendly. Other upcoming trips include ski vacations, fishing trips and safaris.
Families were expecting more than just a pleasure cruise. Included among the classic cruise entertainment is educational talks about adoption and pregnancy.
Travelers who signed on for the first voyage praised the star couple, who married in February in California and have four children.
“Rosie O’Donnell is very smart – as more gay families are getting more exposure, they’ve got a place where they can go,” said Jeff Harris, 43, of Atlanta.
BY NICOLE BODE, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
