Life Ashore: My Adventures Off a Cruise Ship After 350 Days at Sea

Mario Salcedo, known as "Super Mario," dedicates an astonishing 350 days a year to life aboard cruise ships, exclusively with Royal Caribbean. After leaving his job at 47, he has spent the last 25 years continuously enjoying the ocean, racking up a remarkable 1,000 voyages. Salcedo’s annual expenditure on cruises is about £81,000, which he finances through his investments.

Although he owns a two-bedroom apartment in Miami, Mario’s time on land is extremely limited, averaging only 15 days a year. These days typically revolve around flying between ports or taking care of essential errands such as visiting doctors or banks, and are not consecutive.

When he does set foot on land, Salcedo focuses on staying active through dancing and walking, although he admits that he struggles to walk straight after so much time at sea, having "lost his land legs." He humorously notes, "I only put on a couple of pounds when I’m on land eating at McDonald’s and Burger King."

His cruise journey began in 1997, and after trying different lines, he settled with Royal Caribbean in 2000, declaring it "the best lifestyle" for its ease and lack of stress. "I’m so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land," he shares.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mario faced a year without cruising, a challenging time for someone who thrives on this lifestyle. To stay connected with the ocean, he took up scuba diving and, upon returning to cruising, found freedom once more on a ship aptly named "Freedom of the Seas." His 1,000th cruise was on the Explorer of the Seas, which embarked from Miami and ventured to Panama and the southern Caribbean.

For more information about Salcedo’s unique lifestyle and cruising experiences, you can visit Royal Caribbean.

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