In Vienna, Lotti Portuné, a widow embassy councillor, sees a report on television in which she recognizes her childhood sweetheart Ernst, a skipper on the Elbe. He is still sailing the Elbe on the barge named 'Lotti' in her honor. Lotti doesn't think twice and sets off to visit Ernst. But she had imagined the reunion differently. What was supposed to be just a joyride turns into an escape from creditors who want to chain up the barge.