All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise

Our Rating: L Factor: Lesbian Film Short Take: In 2005, 500 families boarded the first gay and lesbian family cruise to the Caribbean. It was chartered by Rosie and Kelly O’Donnell. Alternate Titles:
Year: 2006 Duration: 91 min Language: USA/English MPAA: PG	Director: Shari Cookson Writer: Starring: Pam Elliott, Judy Gold, Megan Jacoby, Kelli O’Donnell, Rosie O’Donnell, Jane Skorina, Esera Tuaolo

All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise Trailer

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In 2005, 500 families boarded the first gay and lesbian family cruise to the Caribbean. It was chartered by Rosie (A League of Their Own, ‘Queer as Folk,’  ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’) and Kelly O’Donnell, and this documentary follows the comedian and her wife and children as well as a number of other families throughout the cruise.

Although I feared boredom, watching lgbt families enjoying themselves in a non-judgmental and celebratory atmosphere quickly became emotional. It’s great to see all of the joy, tears and laughter.

Several couples go through marriage ceremonies during the trip. The teenagers also seem to get a lot out of spending time with peers who understand the pressures they face at home. Former professional football player Esera Tuaolo is there with his partner and their two young children, and several comedians perform on stage for the crowd.

But it’s not all fun and frolic. Two churches organize a protest in the Bahamas to greet the boat, loud and full of hate, although other residents stop to tell the cameras that these people don’t represent the majority on the island. In Key West, Florida, by contrast, the passengers are thrown a parade for their arrival.

It’s a nice celebratory slice of life, and most likely especially meaningful for those with children. (AB)