Mario Salcedo, affectionately known as "Super Mario" in cruising circles, has spent the past 25 years living on cruise ships. This unique lifestyle has led to an unexpected health phenomenon—Mario has lost his "land legs." He revealed to Condé Nast Traveler that he sways so much on solid ground that walking in a straight line is now a challenge. This condition, known as mal de débarquement syndrome, is a rare and curious side effect of adapting to life at sea. Despite the difficulties it presents, Mario has grown so accustomed to the rhythmic motion of the ocean that he finds Being on land more disorienting than being on a ship. For him, the comforts and routines of life aboard a cruise liner have become second nature, overshadowing the stability of dry land.
Elaine Warren, founder and CEO of The Family Cruise Companion, notes that while the idea of living on a cruise ship sounds like a dream to many, the reality of long-term cruising brings its own set of challenges. The body adapts to the constant motion of the ship, but not always in ways that are beneficial. Warren explains that many long-term cruisers develop what’s known as "sea legs," where the slight sway of the ship becomes the new normal. When they return to land, the solid ground can feel strange, even disorienting. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced for children, who may find the transition from the predictable motion of the ship to the static environment of land especially unsettling. For families and individuals like Mario, who have made the ocean their home, the effects of this adaptation can be both fascinating and inconvenient.
Mario’s lifestyle is made possible by his career in investment management, which allows him to spend around $101,000 (£81,000) annually on cruises. He favors Royal Caribbean, where he has earned a unique status that grants him special perks. On some ships, crew members have even set up makeshift offices for him, complete with cordoned-off tables, chairs, and signs that read "Super Mario’s Office." This level of recognition speaks to Mario’s dedication to his lifestyle and the deep connections he has built with the crew and other passengers over the years. Despite the high cost, Mario believes the benefits far outweigh the expenses, describing his life at sea as "zero stress" and "the best lifestyle I can find."
Mario’s journey as a full-time cruiser began in 1997, when he took his first cruise and was immediately captivated by the experience. Born in Cuba, Mario grew tired of the demands of the corporate world, including the long flights and formalities of international business. He found solace in the freedom and simplicity of life at sea. After experimenting with several cruise lines, he settled on Royal Caribbean, drawn to the comfort and amenities of their ships. Since 2000, Mario has spent almost all of his time on Royal Caribbean vessels, with only brief periods on land—except for a 15-month pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. His 1,000th voyage, aboard the Explorer of the Seas, marked a major milestone in his life at sea, solidifying his reputation as one of the most dedicated cruisers in the world.
Life aboard the Explorer of the Seas for Mario’s 1,000th voyage was nothing short of memorable. The 3,286-passenger ship set sail from Miami on January 5 for an 11-night journey to Panama and the southern Caribbean. Mario, who prefers to stay out of the spotlight and avoids social media, shared with allthingscruise.com that "cruising never gets old." For him, the allure of the ocean is enduring, offering a blend of relaxation, adventure, and community that he finds impossible to resist. While some might view his lifestyle as unusual, Mario sees it as the ultimate freedom—a way to escape the confines of traditional life and live on his own terms.
Mario’s daily routine reflects the unique balance he has struck between work and leisure. He spends about five hours a day managing his investments, a task he can handle remotely thanks to the connectivity available on modern cruise ships. The rest of his time is dedicated to enjoying the onboard amenities, socializing with fellow passengers, and simply soaking in the beauty of the ocean. For Mario, the key to his happiness lies in the simplicity and predictability of his routine. He has traded the stresses of life on land for the rhythmic motion of the waves, finding a sense of peace and contentment that he never knew was possible. His story is a testament to the idea that home can be wherever you feel most at ease—even if that home happens to float.
