When feeling that he is doing the same activities every day, Patrick moans that he needs a break. SpongeBob suggests a vacation out of town, which cheers him. When at a travel agency, Patrick is given options, but they are thrown out when it is revealed that he cannot afford a trip. SpongeBob comes up with a solution—a "staycation", a vacation at home—which delights Patrick.

Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob win free tickets to a cruise, thanks to Plankton, but they do not know that it is a secret plan to steal the Krabby Patty formula. At the same time, Plankton tricks his computer wife Karen for a vacation, and she is initially excited until when she realizes that this is part of his plan to steal the formula. He lies to her and the both hop on the same cruise as Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob.