Gopher gives his parents a cruise as a Mother's Day present. Gopher's father grows jealous of the close relationship between mother and son. An older couple, who has finally seen its youngest child move out of the house, is stunned by an unexpected pregnancy. A widower's teenage daughters repeatedly reject his new wife, but must rely on her help when they get into a jam in Mexico.

Capt. Stubing receives a letter from his daughter, Vicki. When he tries to call her, he learns that she has run away from her aunt and uncle's home. She shows up on the ship and reveals that she has read her mother's diary, and now knows that the captain is her father. She wants to stay with him, but he feels that it is best that he return her. Vicki's aunt reveals that she is getting a divorce and wants to send her children away for a while so that they won't be affected by the proceedings. Capt. Stubing and Vicki are thrilled by the chance to live together on the ship. Julie plays matchmaker for two shy, old-fashioned people who are unaccustomed to the workings of modern romance. A man is annoyed by the presence of the woman who deadlocked the jury for the attempted murder trial on which they both served, leading to a mistrial. They constantly argue about the case.