HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):

A United States tour company has urged the island's churches to reconsider their opposition to a planned gay cruise to Bermuda being organised by American TV personality Rosie O'Donnell.

The chief executive of O'Donnell's company, R Family Vacations, Gregg Kaminsky, said that just "one incident" would cause the company to cancel the summer cruise - and tell everyone in America why.

Religious group United By Faith is currently consulting churches across the island to determine its course of action over the planned cruise.

Chairman Andre Curtis said a statement would be issued next week after pastors and representatives had considered their response. The interfaith group represents about 80 per cent of the island's churches.

O'Donnell, co-host of 'The View', recently announced a cruise liner had been chartered to Bermuda as part of her vacation programme for gay and lesbian families.

The cruise is due to leave New York on July 7 and will dock in Bermuda before heading to The Bahamas and returning to the U.S. East Coast a week later.

The visit, however, has provoked opposition from several church groups, with the African Methodist Episcopal Church stating it is "not in favour of this cruise coming to our shores".