Rubén Andrés
WriterWriter at Xataka. I've been working remotely for more than a decade and I'm a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee.
Spending a vacation aboard a cruise ship has become an increasingly popular choice, even among wealthy travelers. 25 years ago, Mario Salcedo, a Cuban-born millionaire who built his fortune in finance, decided to turn his everyday life into a vacation. Since then, he’s been continuously traveling on cruise ships, making these floating resorts his home.
However, this luxurious life aboard some of the largest pleasure vessels has taken its toll. Salcedo has lost his “land legs” and can no longer walk in a straight line when he arrives in port.
Always on vacation. In 2019, Salcedo told The New York Times that he was never interested in starting a family. His life on land consisted solely of work. One day, he left his Miami apartment and embarked on a cruise.
The experience had such a profound impact on him that he’s since linked one cruise after another. Now, his home includes several decks, swimming pools, dance floors, and a variety of fleeting neighbors with whom he socializes whenever possible. He’s a regular among Royal Caribbean passengers and is known to the crew as Super Mario. “People come here for vacation, I don’t, I come here to live my life,” he explained.
Life on board. Salcedo uses a reserved table on one of the cruise ship’s decks, with a handwritten sign that reads “Super Mario’s Office.” The name doesn’t refer to the Nintendo character but rather denotes the space where the man spends several hours each day working on his laptop. This routine has allowed him to fund the more than 1,154 cruises he has enjoyed throughout his life at sea.
He spends between $70,000 and $100,000 annually on his travels. In an interview with Condé Nast Traveler, he revealed that he books an interior cabin without a balcony. “I don’t do anything in my cabin other than shower, get dressed and sleep,” he said. The rest of his day is spent in his “office,” socializing with other travelers and dancing in one of the ship’s ballrooms. To avoid the hassle of frequently changing cabins, Salcedo makes 150 reservations in advance, connecting one cruise to the next.
Going ashore is the biggest challenge. You might assume that the main cost of life at sea is financial. However, for Salcedo, the biggest sacrifice is stepping onto dry land. After more than 25 years aboard some of the finest cruise ships, the millionaire man has developed a rare condition known as disembarkment syndrome, commonly referred to as “land legs.”
This unusual disorder affects the vestibular system of the ear, disrupting balance and creating a constant sensation of movement, even when you’re stable and motionless on land.
The disembarkment syndrome typically lasts for just a few days, but the condition can become chronic for someone whose life is predominantly spent at sea and who only spends about 15 days a year on land. “I’ve lost my land legs, so when I’m swaying so much 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,” he told Condé Nast Traveler.
Staying onboard. There’s no denying that Salcedo feels more at home on a cruise ship. The few times he ventures onto land are primarily to catch a flight for his next cruise or to handle banking and medical appointments. He also goes ashore to ensure everything is in order at his apartment when the ship docks in Miami.
Fortunately, aside from his balance issues when he’s on dry land, Salcedo is in good health. This crucial factor allows him to continue his adventures at sea, given that cruise companies typically prohibit boarding for individuals who require constant medical care.
Image | Jose M
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