NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Rosie O’Donnell’s maiden gay and lesbian family cruise hit rough waters yesterday morning when more than 60 protesters greeted the ship in the Caribbean.

Holding signs saying, “If you are openly gay, stay away,” the protesters compared the 7:30 a.m. docking of the Norwegian Dawn and its 1,400 passengers to the arrival of the Trojan horse.

“Regrettably, there are some people here who do not share and support our family values,” said Gregg Kaminksy, co-founder of R Family Vacations, which is sponsoring the trip.

O’Donnell steered clear of the protesters but her partner, Kelli Carpenter, and some passengers said they were saddened by the cold reception.

“We’re just trying to have a good time and spend some money in the Bahamas,” said Carpenter, co-founder of RFamily Vacation. “It’s a little disappointing, but it won’t stop us from enjoying ourselves.

“Every other spot on the trip has greeted us. In Key West we got a parade and a key to the city. It’s been an amazing vacation, and this is not going to change that.”

Passenger Angela Guardiano, of Naugatuck, Conn., went ashore with her sons Marc, 7, and Jose, 6, undeterred by the protest.

“I was sad, but you can’t let people stop you from doing what you want to do,” she said.

O’Donnell and her three children went on a scheduled dolphin excursion.

Last week, Kaminsky made a special trip to Nassau to try to dissuade the leaders of the two churches that organized the protest. A third church opposed the gay cruise but its leaders did not support demonstrating against tourists and did not participate.

The R Family cruise, which departed from Manhattan last Sunday, is the first voyage tailored to gay families.

O’Donnell, who is hosting the trip, has been visible and approachable onboard, emceeing her own variety hour in the Stardust Lounge, attending seminars on gay issues and even popping up in the disco.