Antigua has successfully coped with Hurricane Irma, defying the worst predictions of disaster. There was no loss of life.

Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. all tumbled in Tuesday trading as Hurricane Irma threatened to do to the hub of the cruise industry what Harvey did to the nation’s oil and gas capital last week.

Tourists are being urged to leave Florida Key West and some Caribbean islands as one of the most ferocious hurricanes ever to hit the region gathers strength.

Hurricane Irma disrupted some airline and cruise travel Tuesday as it threatened the eastern Caribbean and prompted South Florida’s airports and seaports to activate emergency measures to safeguard their facilities.

Irma's core, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph -- well above the 157 mph threshold of a Category 5 -- slammed Barbuda early Wednesday before hitting St. Martin and Anguilla.

Antigua's airport has closed with an ominous statement from local authorities as Hurricane Irma approaches the Caribbean island.