Man Spends 25 Years at Sea, Celebrates 1,000th Cruise Milestone

MIAMI, Fla. — Mario Salcedo, a Cuban national known as “Super Mario,” has spent more than two decades living aboard cruise ships, recently celebrating his 1,000th voyage with Royal Caribbean. The 72-year-old, who left his corporate career in 1999, has become a permanent fixture on the high seas, earning the nickname from crew members and passengers alike.

Salcedo, a former international finance director, traded his office for the ocean at age 47. He initially booked a trip on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, then the world’s largest cruise ship, and never returned to land. “It was so revolutionary—the first ice skating rink, the first rock climbing wall,” Salcedo told Condé Nast Traveller. “It took cruising to another dimension.”

Over the years, Salcedo has adapted so thoroughly to life at sea that he now struggles on land. “I’ve lost my land legs,” he said. “When I’m on shore, I sway so much I can’t walk in a straight line. Being on ships feels more comfortable to me.”

Salcedo’s 1,000th cruise was celebrated aboard the Explorer of the Seas, where crew members and guests honored his milestone. Cruise Director Mitch announced the achievement on social media, calling Salcedo a “legend” within the Royal Caribbean community. Photos from the event showed Salcedo wearing a custom jacket with captain’s epaulets and the inscription “Super Mario’s 1000th Cruise.”

Despite his seafaring lifestyle, Salcedo maintains an apartment in Miami, which he refers to as his “hotel” due to his infrequent visits. He spends only about 15 days a year on land, with the exception of a 15-month hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Onboard, he runs his investment management business from an office labeled “Super Mario’s Office” and enjoys scuba diving, ballroom dancing, and relaxing in the ship’s cigar lounge.

Salcedo’s dedication to cruising has made him a beloved figure among Royal Caribbean staff and passengers. “He’s part of the furniture,” one crew member said. “Super Mario is family.”