Decades at Sea: Unusual Health Impact of 25 Years Living on Cruise Ships

Man’s 25-Year Cruise Ship Life Leads to Bizarre Health Effect
(Images: Mario Salcedo onboard; Explorer of the Seas; Royal Caribbean crew with "Super Mario" sign)

Mario Salcedo, known as “Super Mario” in cruise circles, has spent 25 years living on Royal Caribbean ships. His unique lifestyle, however, has an unexpected downside: he’s lost his “land legs.” Salcedo told Conde Nast Traveler that he now sways uncontrollably on solid ground, finding ship life more comfortable than terra firma.

Sea Legs vs. Land Legs
Elaine Warren, CEO of The Family Cruise Companion, explains that long-term cruisers often develop “mal de débarquement syndrome,” where the body adapts to ship motion, making land disorienting. “For kids, this can be especially unsettling,” she adds. Salcedo’s extreme case highlights the physical toll of perpetual sea life.

Funding the Dream Lifestyle
Salcedo spends $101,000 annually on balcony cabins, funding his voyages through investment management. His dedication earned him a quirky onboard reputation: crew members cordon off deck areas as “Super Mario’s Office” during his work hours.

(Image: Mario at his makeshift deck office)

1,000 Voyages and Counting
Recently celebrating his 1,000th cruise, Salcedo sailed aboard the Explorer of the Seas on an 11-night Caribbean voyage. The Cuban-born retiree abandoned his corporate life in 2000, opting for cruise ships over “suit-and-tie stress.” He’s only paused once—during COVID—for 15 months.

A Day in Super Mario’s Life
Salcedo spends five hours daily managing investments, dedicating the rest to ship amenities. “It’s zero stress. The best lifestyle I can find,” he told All Things Cruise. Though not on social media, his story has made waves, proving that for some, the sea truly becomes home.

(Image: Explorer of the Seas at sea)

With over two decades onboard, Salcedo’s tale is a fascinating glimpse into the highs and unexpected lows of life at sea.