All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise is a documentary from director/producer Shari Cookson. The film takes place in summer of 2004 and documents the first-ever cruise for gays and lesbians and their families. This special Caribbean cruise, which included 1500 participants, was created by Rosie O'Donnell and her partner Kelli. 

While talking with Rosie and Kelli about gay and lesbian vacation packages, travel executive Gregg Kaminsky cracked a joke about renting a cruise ship. Rosie's reaction? "Go and get it."

The actress/comedian did not want to rent just any ocean liner. Rosie's vision involved offering a first-class experience that didn't exclude anyone despite their situations. She wished to create a community aboard the ship where passengers could be free, thereby making a statement about what a true family is made of.

The audience meets several cruise participants on the maiden voyage. One lesbian couple, desperate to have a child of their own, hope to find someone on the cruise who will understand their plight and be willing to be a potential donor for artifical insemination. They encounter two men in the one of the ship's corridors, and it's clear they have been discussing their plight before the camera is turned on them. In a few hours, we find the women at dinner with these two men. Their lives are about to interwine as the men drop the bombshell that they will assist the women because they know how hard it is to achieve the dream of having a child.

Also on board the ship is former NFL player Esera Tuaolo. Tuaolo hid his sexuality during his football career out of fear that opposing teams would cause severe bodily harm. Once  retired, he admitted he was gay and earned respect in the gay community. Tuaolo and his partner now raise twins. Viewers also meet a gay couple who have quite a handful on their hands after adopting five youngsters who are siblings.

Another interesting passenger is Megan, who has lived with her divorced mother and her partner since the age of three. Megan's father fought her mother for custody but was not successful. While growing up, Megan dealt with friends who were not allowed to sleep over because of who her parents were. She also dealt with clueless teachers who could not understand her drawings of two mommies. Her parents felt the teacher was the one who might not be well adjusted -- not  their daughter.

We see a glimmer of the intolerance that awaits the cruise participants as they step off the ship mid-voyage in the Bahamas. Protestors are against the cruise stopping there. 

With this documentary, director Cookson creates what amounts to a collage -- rather than a full portrait of her subjects. While some members of the audience may feel empowered, many will probably wish the film probed deeper below the surface. Cookson shows only what the people in the documentary are experiencing and enjoying while generally ignoring anything unpleasant in their lives.

All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise made its international premiere at Hot Docs: Canadian International Documentary Film Festival April 29th. The film can be seen on HBO. Check www.hbo.com for more details.

(Released by Home Box Office; not rated by MPAA.)

Review also posted on www.movie-critiques.com.