Jim's first cruise at the helm of the Sun Princess is complicated when his ex-wife orders him to take custody of their troubled fifteen-year-old son, Danny. Jim's military discipline clashes with the laid-back style of the other crewmembers, who also object to being forced to baby-sit Danny. Danny vanishes after an argument with his father, and Camille catches him smoking pot. A jilted groom stays in the honeymoon suite with his best man. After they are mistaken for a gay couple, the man (unaware that his friend really is gay) decides to take advantage of the confusion to meet women. A passenger proposes to a woman the day of their first meeting. A woman takes offense when her comedian boyfriend puts down marriage in his act.

Jim's ex-wife comes aboard to celebrate Danny's 16th birthday, then decides that she wants to bring their son home. Will, Camille, John and Suzanne are offered transfers to a better ship. Paolo is furious when his father--a nearly crippled race car driver--comes to visit him. Paolo believes that his father abandoned the family, but Jim learns the truth from Mr. Kaire. A couple meets through a singles activity group, but both parties are hiding secrets about their physical appearance.