Sims took ill shortly before filming began and was replaced by Dilys Laye, making her Carry On debut, at four days' notice.

Lance Percival makes his only appearance in the series in Carry On Cruising, playing the ship's chef, the role originally designated for Hawtrey.

Setting off from England, the Happy Wanderer calls at unnamed ports in Spain, Italy and North Africa before heading home.

Bridget is her usual dotty and entertaining self, and one unnamed passenger never disembarks but always goes straight to the bar to drink, to forget an unidentified woman.

The crew and passengers settle in as the ship leaves port and head chef Wilfred Haines discovers he gets easily seasick.

Meanwhile, ship's doctor Dr. Binn has fallen for Flo, but she wants nothing to do with him, so he serenades her with a song after leaving Italy (Bella Marie), which she does not hear as she is asleep.

They learn that the captain has been in charge of the Happy Wanderer for ten years and decide to hold a surprise party for him, with the passengers.