Brazen navy hero Lt. Moses Redding incites an international incident on the eve of Mideast peace talks. He's banished to command the 200-year-old USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," on a Mediterranean PR cruise-purgatory for a man of action.

Onboard is the alluring but high-spirited Dr. Miriam Hannah. She's a naval historian and the top aide to Vice President Virginia Mitchell, point person on the peace talks. A battle of the sexes ensues between the mutually attracted, but conflicted lovers.

While terrorists abduct VP Mitchell in a plot to destroy the talks and ignite a world-wide jihad, the haunted Constitution mysteriously intervenes in Redding's personal transformation. He returns the favor by ordering the crew trained in her antique weapons, unaware how vital that soon will be.