Tiger Cruise

In September 2001, the aircraft carrier USS Constellation is heading home from Pearl Harbor to San Diego on its final leg. As part of a Navy tradition, relatives and friends of the crew are invited aboard for a "tiger cruise," and among them is Maddie Dolan, the teenage daughter of the ship's executive officer, Commander Gary Dolan. She wants her father to turn down a promotion and leave the Navy so the family can spend more time together. During the voyage she gets to know other young passengers, including Tina, whose older sister is a naval aviator under her father's command, and Anthony, a carefree drummer with little interest in military life.

The news of the September 11 attacks abruptly ends the peacetime atmosphere. The crew is recalled to a war footing, and the guests on board, along with Maddie, must come to terms with what the changed situation means for them and their families.

Duwayne Dunham directed the 2004 television film, which followed his earlier features Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, Little Giants and Halloweentown. Anna Sandor and Bruce Graham wrote the screenplay, and Bill Borden produced. Hayden Panettiere plays Maddie, with Bill Pullman as her father, supported by Troy Evans, Bianca Collins, Nathaniel Lee Jr. and Mercedes Colon among a credited cast of forty-eight. On IMDb the film holds a rating of 5.8 from about 1,800 votes, with a similar 5.9 from a much smaller number of votes on TMDB.