NEW YORK, USA (UPI): Talk show host Rosie O'Donnell has decided to delete Bermuda's sandy beaches on her planned cruise for gay and lesbian families because of potential protests.
News of the cancellation brought cheers from the island's conservative religious community, with United by Faith calling it "a victory for God," E! News reported Wednesday.
"We have had our churches praying for this since it was first announced and have had intercessors praying both here and abroad," the 80-church organization said in a statement. "We are thankful God intervened and anticipate greater blessings upon Bermuda."
The charter company co-founded by O'Donnell's partner Kelli Carpenter, R Family Vacations, said the Bermuda stop will be replaced by port stops in Port Canaveral, Key West, Fla., and a private Bahamas island.
Nearly 2,000 passengers are expected to board the chartered Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Dawn when it sets sail from New York in July.
R Family's other co-founder, Gregg Kaminsky, said the dissent was limited to a small portion of the island's population.
"The Prime Minister of Bermuda personally contacted me to let me know that he and his government welcome all tourists regardless of sexual orientation or religious affiliation," Kaminsky said on the company's Web site. |
