Royal Caribbean has honored its most loyal passenger, Mario Salcedo, a Cuban national who has been living on the company’s cruise ships for nearly 25 years.
Salcedo, nicknamed “Super Mario,” took his 1,000th cruise with Royal Caribbean on January 13, marking a remarkable milestone in his cruising life.
Before making the unconventional decision to live on cruise ships, Salcedo had a stressful job as an international finance director at a successful American company, which led him to spend more time in hotels than in his Miami home.
After taking his first cruise and enjoying it, Salcedo resigned at the age of 47 and went on another cruise, eventually deciding to make the high seas his permanent residence.
Salcedo, who started cruising in 1994, began living on Royal Caribbean’s ships full-time in 2000.
He now spends around 50 weeks a year on the company’s vessels, with the majority of his time spent on the Liberty and Navigator of the Seas.
His 1,000th cruise was on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, on which he has taken 54 cruises since 1994.
Despite living on cruise ships, Salcedo still maintains a flat in Miami and runs his investment management business remotely.
He told Condé Nast Traveller in 2016 that he feels more comfortable living on ships than on land and plans to continue this lifestyle indefinitely as long as he remains in good health and has fun.
Salcedo’s way of life may appeal to retirees seeking a cost-effective alternative to traditional retirement options.
According to financial analysts, living on a cruise ship could be more affordable than paying off a mortgage or living in a retirement home or assisted living community, depending on one’s lifestyle choices and cruise options.
For those interested in following Salcedo’s lead, it is essential to consider the total cost of living on a cruise ship, which can range from around $90 per day to millions per year, depending on the cruise fare, port fees, taxes, and personal spending habits.
Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, Crown & Anchor Society, offers benefits such as free internet, daily free breakfasts, and priority embarkation, which can help members like Salcedo save money.