The story concerns the U.S.S. "Reluctant", which is at anchor beside a tropical island. The ship's captain is as much of a "Captain Bligh" as ever. Several of the film's events – such as attacking the Captain while he is watching a film, and one the sailors trying to obtain compassionate leave to deal with a dying child – are taken from Thomas Heggen's original 1946 novel "Mister Roberts". The characters of Pulver, Doc and several crewmen return from the first film, but played by different actors.