No longer a couple, Cody and Bailey must choose who keeps Buck, their pet rat. Kirby investigates both to see who will make the better owner, but Woody is bitten by Buck, creating a super-hero alter-ego "Ratman."

The Seven Seas High dance is coming up. Having broke up, Cody and Bailey lie about having dates to the dance, so they quickly try to find a backup date to backup their lie. Now the pressure is on to see who has the best game. Meanwhile, Woody is tired of Tutweiller and Moseby arguing about who should get the skydeck for the school dance, so he makes them share the skydeck. It is revealed though flashback that Mr. Moseby and Miss Tutweiler's interest in the Middle Ages and 1980s, respectively, comes from the tribulations they endured as outcasts in their youth. Through understanding, Mr. Moseby convinces Emma that they both have become successful adults and have overcome their painful pasts.

Zack becomes attracted to a girl named Maya, but when he realizes he is actually falling in love with her, he attempts to use the six month plan Cody devised to date Bailey. Meanwhile, Dante, the boy who stole Marcus's identity in Paris, stows away on board to have Marcus produce his next album. In addition, Cody is trying to condition himself to forget about Bailey by flicking a rubber band against his wrist every time he thinks about her while she is visiting her home in Kettlecorn.

Arwin comes on board the SS Tipton to improve the ship by adding a robot. However, problems start to occur when it begins to have feelings for Cody. Meanwhile, London and Woody enlist Zack's help to pass a gym class.

Maya's birthday is coming up and Zack decides to do something special for her. When singer Sean Kingston comes on board, he immediately becomes attracted to London. Zack misleads Sean Kingston into throwing a surprise party for London and also making Mr. Moseby believe it is for him, when it is actually a party for Maya. Meanwhile, Cody goes with Bailey to a Belgian chocolate factory on a couple's tour and runs into Woody who mistakenly came instead of attending a hiking trip.

When the ship is docked in New Orleans, Mr. Moseby tells the tale of the ghost of Captain Entenille, whose old steamship, the Jessie Belle, sunk 150 years ago. His spirit makes contact with Zack, sending him on a mission to prove the sinking of the old ship wasn't the captain's fault. Meanwhile, London and Bailey try to help Moseby overcome his fear of performing in public.

After assigning the class to write their own play, Ms. Tutweiler selects Cody's play to be presented in class. However, Bailey refuses to participate after realizing the play antagonizes her role in the break-up between her and Cody, forcing Cody to act as Bailey and Zack as Cody.