The Australian came to be known as James Bond by fellow cruise ship passengers on Dawn Princess and it was not just because of his sharp dress.
The 72-year-old Melbourne resident was winched off the ship by the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter after a heart attack on December 8.
''It was just the adventure of a lifetime, if you can look at it that way,'' he said yesterday.
''It was amazing. It was like something out of a movie.''
He experienced parts of New Zealand ''even New Zealanders don't get to see'' as the helicopter flew from Milford Sound to Dunedin Hospital.
''The helicopter boys were just sensational blokes,'' he said.
''They kept a bit of banter going. They were just fantastic.''
He was as complimentary of the staff at Dunedin Hospital, where he spent the next week.
''It was just wonderful,'' he said.
''The hospital staff are worth their weight in gold.''
The day started early as Mr McDonald and wife Maria went on deck to see the scenery as the ship came into Milford Sound.
''I took off up the stairs and had a little bit of an ache in the chest and I put it down to a muscle strain,'' he said.
''I thought this thing is hanging around a bit so I'll go back to the cabin and have a lie down.
''This little ache disappeared so I took off again but I got thirty metres down the cabin way and this little ache came back again.''
Once he was in the ship's medical centre, the reality of the situation dawned on him.
''The doctor said: 'Classic angina, so we will keep you down here for three days', and no sooner had he said that then, Whammo! I don't think I have ever experienced greater pain in my life.
''It was a heart attack.''
He was winched up to the helicopter and spent the next week in hospital as his wife sailed back to Melbourne.
''It was quite an experience, perhaps one I could have done without,'' he said.
''But the good news is they put the stent in and that was one blockage, but otherwise I was in pretty good shape.''
The pair intend to visit New Zealand to finish the cruise, but took home nothing but fond memories this time.
The couple first came to New Zealand in 1975 on their honeymoon and hope to mark their 40th wedding anniversary by taking in the sights again.
''My grandchild texted me and said: 'Next time you want to go on a helicopter flight you can go without drama, I'll even pay for it, just skip the drama','' Mr McDonald said, with a laugh.
