Embarking on a cruise is often a dream come true for many, with the promise of serene seas, captivating entertainment, and the allure of adventure.

It's a chance to escape the ordinary and indulge in the extraordinary. But for Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac, a recent cruise experience turned into an unforgettable spectacle for a reason he didn't quite anticipate.



Sam Mac found himself in a bit of a pickle during a live broadcast from a Disney cruise ship sailing between Melbourne and New Zealand.

The weatherman had a special surprise for his co-star Nat Barr, which quickly turned into an on-air blunder that left viewers and the Sunrise team in stitches.


The surprise began with a heartwarming intention. Mac had learned of Barr's childhood aspiration during a candid moment at a Christmas party.

'There’s a lady on our show, her name is Natalie. She told me once at a Christmas party after she had a few, she said, “I always wanted to be a princess”,' Mac recounted to a Disney cruise worker.

Determined to make her dream come true, even if just in jest, Mac visited the ship's 'magical restaurant’, where guests can draw a character and watch it come to life as an animation.



With a red marker in hand, Mac set out to create a princess in Barr's likeness.

‘She does have nice lashes, they’re not real, but that’s OK—a beautiful smile, very white teeth,’ he said.

'Definitely no wrinkles on Princess Natalie—don’t need to worry about that,' he quipped, to which Barr playfully responded, 'Just a few.'

The banter continued as Mac added details to his masterpiece, saying, ‘Conservative neckline. Nice hands. Long fingers. Used to play the piano.’

‘I did,’ Barr chimed in.

The moment of truth arrived when the drawing was transformed into a Disney animation, a delightful feature of the family-friendly cruise line.

But the magic took an unexpected turn when Sam stepped out onto the balcony to showcase the animated princess to the camera.



In a twist of fate that no one saw coming, the drawing slipped from his grasp and fluttered into the Tasman Sea.

'Oh, no. It’s gone. It’s gone out to sea,' Mac exclaimed as his co-hosts watched in disbelief.

The incident sparked a wave of laughter and playful commentary from the Sunrise team. 'Nooo,' co-host Shirvo chimed in, echoing the sentiment of surprise.

'We’ve lost it, it’s out to sea,' Mac reiterated, half in shock, half in amusement.

‘Anyone in New Zealand, can you please return it to us? If you find it in Auckland, we need that. I’m shocked. It started out so well.’

Barr, quick to find the humour in the situation, declared, 'Princess overboard,' while Mark Beretta optimistically suggested, 'She’s gone free—she’ll wash up somewhere wonderful.'

Edwina Bartholomew even likened Barr to the ‘little mermaid’.
Have you ever experienced a memorable blunder while on holiday or during a special event? Share your stories with us in the comments below!