Flights to and from the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic and Haiti have been cancelled and airports have closed as Hurricane Irene gathers momentum. Airlines have waived penalties and change fees for travel in up until August 26.

Carnival Cruise Lines has changed seven cruise itineraries to avoid the path of Hurricane Irene. This is in addition to other itinerary changes announced on Sunday. Carnival Conquest, which departed Galveston on a seven-day cruise Aug. 21, is replacing calls at Nassau, Freeport and Key West Wednesday through Friday this week with visits to Costa Maya, Cozumel and Progresso.

Norwegian Cruise Line has modified itineraries for the Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sky to avoid Hurricane Irene. Norwegian Jewel arrived in Great Stirrup Cay the morning of Aug. 23 as originally scheduled.

As a strengthening Hurricane Irene is now battering parts of The Bahamas and takes aim at the East Coast, millions of vacationers are changing plans - or crossing fingers that they won't have to.

As a service to our readers, TravelWeekly.com will be keeping track of the list of hurricane insurance guarantees here. Check back often for the most current information.
Travelers headed to the Caribbean are protected at a number of resorts should hurricanes interrupt, cancel, delay or ruin a tropical vacation.

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30) is now underway and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration expects an above-average season that will include 18 named storms. Six of the storms will strengthen into Category 1 hurricanes (winds at least 74 mph), and three to six will become major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph (at least Category 3), NOAA forecasted.