Mario Salcedo has developed a peculiar health condition due to his unique lifestyle of living aboard cruise ships for a quarter of a century.
Mario recently completed his thousandth cruise, underscoring his dedication to life at sea over living on land, Daily Mail reported.
Salcedo, also known as 'Super Mario' in cruising circles, embarked on his first cruise in 1997. Initially a relief from the stresses of international business travel, he found solace and a new home on the waves. He ultimately chose Royal Caribbean as his preferred cruise line and has almost exclusively sailed with them since the year 2000.
During his extensive cruising career, Mario has reached a personal landmark by completing 1,000 voyages. These travels include his most recent 11-night journey onboard the Explorer of the Seas to Panama and the southern Caribbean, marking a significant milestone on January 5.
Adapting to life at sea has come with its literal ups and downs. Salcedo suffers from mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS), a disorder that affects balance and stability. This condition makes it challenging for him to walk straight while on solid ground, a direct result of his prolonged exposure to the constant motion of cruise ships.
"I've lost my land legs. I'm swaying so much that I can't walk in a straight line. I'm so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land," Mario shared in an interview with Conde Nast Traveler.
The condition MdDS is common among those who spend significant time at sea, explains Elaine Warren, CEO of The Family Cruise Companion. Warren illustrates how the body can get so accustomed to the gentle sway of a ship that solid ground feels odd: "Spending extended time on a cruise ship sounds like a dream for many families... But when you shift from a vacation mindset to living at sea, a lot of unexpected things happen - especially to your body," she said to MailOnline Travel.
Despite the challenges, Mario maintains a productive lifestyle while cruising. He manages his investments for about five hours a day, setting up a quasi-office on deck, affectionately known as 'Super Mario's Office,' by some crew members. This office space allows him to keep up with his work while enjoying the serene environment.
Mario's lifestyle costs him about $101,000 annually, an amount he affords through his investment management work. His cabin, equipped with a balcony, provides him with both living quarters and a workplace with a view.
Aside from the mechanics of living and working on a ship, Mario enjoys numerous benefits. "It's zero stress. The best lifestyle I can find," he remarked on how his life on cruise ships impacts his overall well-being and stress levels.
Mario's choice for a perpetual cruise lifestyle began after growing weary of the traditional business world. It's a decision that not only changed his environment but eventually, his physiological makeup. Over repeated voyages, this adaptation developed into a full-blown syndrome, albeit with mixed effects on his daily life.
The lifestyle, although unconventional, fits perfectly with Mario's desires. He revels in the continuity of cruising, which he insists “never gets old,” as he expressed to Jackie Sheckler Finch from allthingscruise.com.
For those considering whether life at sea could be for them, Mario’s experience serves as both an inspiring example and a cautionary tale. While he enjoys the freedom and simplicity of his cruising life, the physical adaptations his body has undergone highlight the potential long-term effects of such a lifestyle.
Looking to the future, Mario shows no signs of slowing down. His journey continues to inspire many within the cruising community and beyond. People fascinated by his story are often curious about the sustainability of such a lifestyle and how long he can continue given the physical peculiarities he's developed.
As Mario sails into his next quarter-century at sea, his story captivates those who dream of escaping the conventional bounds of terrestrial living. It's a testament to the profound personal transformations that can occur when one chooses a truly unorthodox path in life.
