Three major cruise lines are sending ships to St. Vincent to evacuate residents currently at risk following the eruption of the island's La Soufriere volcano.

The Caribbean island has warned that an eruption is imminent after increasing activity in recent days, and ordered the evacuation of thousands.

Carnival Cruise Line and the sister brands Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises all deployed ships to the Caribbean island on April 8.

Carnival said its Carnival Paradise and Carnival Legend are expected to arrive today and will each take up to 1,500 residents to neighboring islands that have agreed to offer refuge. Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and Celebrity's Celebrity Reflection were expected to arrive last night.

All lines said that precautions will be taken to protect the health and safety of the crew and passengers onboard.

UPDATED: The headline and report were updated on April 9 following the eruption of La Soufriere on St. Vincent.