An angel visits the ship to bring a troubled Mexican orphan to his new parents. Mickey Rooney plays a mystical Christmas presence among a motley group of passengers that includes two nuns (played by Teresa Wright and Mickey's wife Jan) and a passel of orphans; two con artists (Keenan Wynn, Henry Gibson) with an illicit horde of gold; a couple (Donny Osmond, Maureen McCormick) whose marriage is jeopardized by her career; and a critically ill boy (Alejandro Garay) who needs emergency surgery by Doc (Bernie Kopell).