A research note by Instinet analyst Harry Curtis estimates it could take "several quarters or more" to repair Saint Thomas USVI and Saint Martin infrastructure, suggesting it could be months before cruise ships return after Irma.
St Thomas and St Martin are a couple of the Caribbean destinations that are most visited by cruise vessels and integral to dozens of itineraries. Each draws over 1.6 million travellers annually. In the Caribbean and Bahamas, just a handful of cruise ports come close to drawing as many visitors.
Norwegian Cruise Line has already announced it was replacing all Eastern Caribbean voyages with Western Caribbean through at least November.
Royal Caribbean has also announced its ships would not be able to visit St Thomas and Irma-ravaged Saint Martin and Key West, for some time.