JUNEAU -- An Alaska transportation official said several dozen stranded cruise ship passengers found shelter and a ride from the state ferry Malaspina this week.

Brenda Hewitt of the state transportation department said the Malaspina was docked in Haines after it couldn't make it to Skagway because of strong winds.

She said 68 passengers were stranded in Haines on Wednesday and they couldn't make it back to their cruise ship in Skagway after traveling to Haines by water taxi.

The Malaspina took them on board and returned them to Juneau on Thursday. KINY radio reported that Princess Cruises footed the bill.