The Kaitaki Interislander finally berthed in Picton late last night after a 12-hour marathon on the water.
The crossing of the Cook Strait usually takes about three hours, but gale force winds in Picton made it impossible for the ferry to dock.
Instead, more than 500 passengers spent the entire day cruising up and down the Marlborough Sounds.
They were placated with a free meal of fish and chips and the ferry eventually berthed in Picton just after 9pm - over eight hours late.
KiwiRail Interislander executive general manager Walter Rushbrook spoke to Susie Ferguson.
