The cruiser "Raimondo Montecuccoli" departs from Livorno with cadets from the Naval Academy. Among them, three sailors are troubled by various problems. The authority of their superiors and life on board improve the crew's character, even helping them to resolve their personal issues.

Cerasella escapes just before her marriage with Alfredo and meets Bruno, the son of a wealthy industrialist.

Otello, an amateur thief, tries a burglary on New Year Eve but he finds the maid Adalgisa in the supposedly empty house. Adalgisa likes Otello who, all things considered, is a good guy, unlike Amerigo the night watchman who tries to profit from the situation.