The extraordinary life of “Super Mario”: living permanently at sea
Mario Salcedo, a wealthy businessman, has chosen a unique path that’s caught many eyes. For over 25 years, he’s traded his apartment for life aboard cruise ships, practically calling the waves his home. Nicknamed “Super Mario” by the cruise crews, his story isn’t just about luxury travel—it’s about rethinking what it means to live and work today.
A life set adrift
Mario’s adventure kicked off when he decided to leave behind the typical way of living. Once deep in the finance world, he opted out of settling down or getting tied up with family, choosing instead a life of freedom on the ocean. He now spends his days on some of Royal Caribbean’s most elegant ships, hopping from one cruise to the next without ever returning to a standard life on land.
His routine is as distinct as his lifestyle. Whether he’s chilling by the pool, soaking up the sun on deck, or cutting loose in the ship’s grand halls, every day is a mix of leisure and work. Even with all this laid-back fun, Mario keeps a steady work pace from his makeshift “floating office” (just a simple table on the deck bearing the sign “Super Mario’s Office”).
Financial independence at sea
Living this high-rolling life isn’t cheap. As an investor, Mario has managed to fund his maritime way of living comfortably. He shells out between $70,000 and $100,000 a year to cover his cruise expenses. Interestingly, he sticks with a modest interior cabin for sleep and prep (his real luxury isn’t in a fancy room, but in the rich experiences he gathers).
This approach lets him blend work with adventure, a nod to how modern tech lets us work from virtually anywhere—even from out in the middle of the ocean.
Tackling health hurdles
Of course, life at sea comes with its own challenges. Mario deals with Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (a rare condition that affects the inner ear, leaving him with a constant swaying sensation), which means he has trouble walking in a straight line on land. He often remarks, “I feel more comfortable on a ship than on land” (a saying that perfectly sums up his situation).
Even with this challenge, Mario stays in great shape, meeting the physical standards set by cruise companies (which don’t allow passengers who need ongoing medical care).
The draw and drawback of cruises
Cruise vacations have really caught on with travelers who can afford a bit of splurge. These floating cities offer top-notch amenities, though they also face criticism for being ultra-polluting (a point of concern for those looking at environmental issues). Still, for someone like Mario who craves both adventure and convenience, cruises are simply too appealing to pass up.
He hardly ever steps foot on land—except for necessary flights between cruises or brief trips to his Miami apartment for administrative work. This constant motion not only reflects his love for the ocean but also helps him avoid long periods on shore that might trigger his balance issues.
Mario Salcedo’s offbeat life at sea shows us that there’s more than one way to call a place home. His journey nudges us to rethink what home and freedom really mean, especially when modern tech allows us to work far from traditional offices. As cruising keeps gaining popularity, even with worries about high-emission ships, Mario’s story serves as both a reminder and a prompt: What would you do if you had all the freedom in the world?