A Mecca for dreamers, a habitat for misfits, a haven for pirates—the magical and mysterious Caribbean where floating resorts ply its warm, tropical waters, providing upscale transit to those seeking passage through the lower latitudes. At a length of over 1,000 feet, the S/S Mystic Rose represents the noblest of these lavish, seagoing resorts, an uncommon ocean liner offering a wide variety of amenities that include gourmet dining, unlimited gambling, spectacular entertainment, and the vacation of a lifetime. But for Henry Naish, someone who envisions himself a pirate, she becomes a floating funeral bier.
Jeffrey Vuarnet, a cynical detective operating out of St. Thomas, must then board this superliner to piece together the puzzle of Henry's demise, joining forces with Rachel, an idealistic romantic, to unravel the mystery of Henry's shrouded business dealings while exposing the hidden entanglements of his unscrupulous life. In the process, both Jeffrey and Rachel discover that pleasure has its price and fate never takes a vacation.