The ship, Majestic America Line's "Empress of the North" ran aground roughly 80 kilometers from Juneau at around 2am local time in three-foot seas, and 24 kilometer per hour winds, the Coast Guard said.

By 7.15 am all passengers had been safely evacuated while 33 crew remained on board as the ship began limping to an undisclosed location.

"The ship is actually off the reef and traveling under its own power at five knots," a US Coast Guard spokesperson told AFP.

"We're not sure which port it's headed to at this point but the situation is less dire than it appeared to be an hour ago."

The spokesperson said it appeared likely the ship, which was listing at eight degrees but protected by a double-hull structure, would be able to make it back to port. "I hate to speculate but it looks like it should get back," she said.

The spokesperson said all passengers had been transferred to a flotilla of good Samaritan vessels which included fishing boats, tugs, and other cruise ships, before boarding the 110-foot Coast Guard cutter Liberty.

The passengers were being taken to Juneau. There were no injuries reported. It was not clear what caused the ship to strike the reef, she added. An investigation was underway.

AFP