I have read up to this point in the thread and I just really, really needed to reply to this particular statement and sentiment.
Not everyone is actually able to always 'find a way'- you know that, right? That statement literally reeks of privilege and ignorance. There are many reasons that it may not be feasible for a person/people to cruise in order to maintain a status.
My husband and I live in Perth, Australia. In the next couple of years there is exactly 1 cruise departing from our nearest port (Fremantle). It is 18 nights from the 1st of March 2024 on Brilliance of the Seas.
First of all as my husband and I are 36 and working (him)/studying (me) that length of cruise may not be feasible. It would certainly rule me ineligible to study for the semester, delaying graduation etc etc.
An inside cabin (not my preference) is a little over USD$3,000.
The cruise finishes in Sydney. We would have to fly back (USD$200-600 per person dependant on dates for an economy seat).
Our other closest alternatives for ports are Brisbane, Sydney and Singapore.
Accommodation can vary between USD$100-300 per night in these locations.
Return flights vary between USD$250-450 per person at a low-season time of year per person for economy seats. Yes- in Australia it can be cheaper to fly return than one way.
Why not drive? The drive between Perth and either Sydney or Brisbane costs around USD$1,000 in fuel and takes 44ish hours- the equivalent of driving from Vancouver to New York on the quickest possible route.
A cruise (for us...and many others), whilst good value, is NOT inexpensive. USD$4500 (cost for inside cabin cruise, a night or two in a not-fancy Syd hotel, food while we're there and economy flights home) is equivalent to over AUD$6500 for 20ish days of holidays and the ability to keep our status.
The average wage in Australia is about USD$1030 per week.
If my husband was earning the average wage it would take him 6 and a half weeks (or over 12% of his annual pay BEFORE tax etc) to earn the money to pay for this.
We are fortunate that we are more flexible than most for several reasons-
1) My husband earns significantly more than the average wage.
2) We do not have children.
Check yourself and your privilege, please. It isn't as simple for everyone as it is for you.