Mario Salcedo, who lives on a cruise ship, has spent almost 25 years making the sea his home. Recently, Royal Caribbean recognized him as their most loyal passenger.
Affectionately called “Super Mario” by the crew, Salcedo celebrated his 1000th cruise with the company on January 13, a milestone Royal Caribbean described on Instagram as a remarkable chapter in his cruising journey.
Before he decided to spend his days at sea, Mario, who now live
s on a cruise ship, worked as an international finance director for a major U.S. corporation, according to Newsweek.
His demanding job kept him traveling so often that he spent more time in hotels than at his Miami home.
After taking his first cruise and thoroughly enjoying the experience, Mario resigned at the age of 47 and dedicated himself to cruising full-time.
Royal Caribbean describes the “legendary cruiser” as sailing with them in 1994 and transitioning to full-time life at sea in 2000. He now spends about 50 weeks a year on their ships.
Although he primarily resides on the Liberty and Navigator of the Seas, his milestone 1000th cruise in January took place on the Explorer of the Seas—a ship he has sailed on 54 times since his cruising journey began.
While living on a cruise ship, Mario manages his investment business remotely. However, he still owns a flat in Miami that he rarely uses.
In a 2016 interview with Condé Nast Traveller, Salcedo shared that life on board had become second nature, describing it as “more comfortable to me than being on land.”
He also expressed his plan to continue this unique lifestyle “indefinitely so long as I’m in good health and having fun.”
After trying different cruise lines, Mario Salcedo chose Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas for a voyage in 2000 and has been loyal to the company ever since.
He explained his commitment: “Nothing could lure me away from them, because I get treated like royalty.”
His loyalty has earned him the title of the highest-ranking member of the Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, as per METRO.
In 2022, he became the first cruiser to surpass 10,000 points, a milestone that’s notable since members earn one point for each night spent on a Royal Caribbean cruise, with bonus points for staying in suites or traveling solo in a double-occupancy cabin.
Salcedo plans his trips two years in advance, with about 150 bookings, allowing him to stay in the same stateroom for extended periods.
Fully adjusted to life at sea, he now feels uncomfortable on land, joking that he has “lost my land legs.”
Mario, who lives on a cruise ship full-time, shared insights 2019 with cruise content creator Alanna Zingano about the costs of his unique lifestyle.
He revealed that his daily “basic” expenses—excluding extras like alcohol, shore excursions, and internet—average about $185, which covers his fare, cabin, taxes, and gratuities.
He explained that his annual budget varies depending on the accommodation type: $72,093 for an interior stateroom, $101,258 for a balcony cabin, and $136,000 for a junior suite.
Comparing his costs to land-based options, he noted, “The average cost of assisted living in the United States per year is $100,380. You can see that if you do an interior cabin, it’s cheaper to live on a cruise.”
Having completed 1,000 cruises, Mario Salcedo, who lives on a cruise ship full-time, has plenty of unforgettable experiences.
In a recent interview with the Royal Caribbean blog, he shared that his favorite destination is the cruise line’s private resort in Labadee, Haiti.
When asked about his most memorable moment, Mario pointed to the “hurricane evacuation” cruise aboard the Enchantment of the Seas in September 2017.
The only significant interruption to his continuous cruising came during the global shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Mario plans to keep living on cruise ships for as long as possible.
Here’s an interview with Mario Salcedo with Cruise Director Mitch:
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