Officers carried out a thorough search of the vessel after receiving a report that a suspicious item had been left on board at around 11.15pm last night.
But Belfast Harbour Police and PSNI officers say nothing was found and passengers were allowed to board the vessel, bound for Liverpool, just over an hour later.
A statement from police said: "Belfast Harbour Police and PSNI officers have carried out a search of a boat docked in Belfast, following a report that a device had been left on board. Nothing was found and passengers have been allowed to board the vessel again which will shortly depart for Liverpool."
Police had earlier tweeted to say the boat was being searched and that everyone on board had been safely evacuated.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted: "Following a report that a device had been left on board a ferry docked in Belfast and bound for Liverpool, all passengers have now been safely evacuated and PSNI and Harbour Police officers are currently carrying out a search of the vessel."
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