In a time when traveling in style is all the rage, few have jumped on board quite like Mario Salcedo, a millionaire who’s been living on cruise ships for over 25 years. Ditching the usual land-based digs, Mario found peace and pleasure roaming the globe aboard these floating resorts. For him, the decks of some of the biggest cruise ships aren’t just for vacation—they’re his home and his workspace, offering a one-of-a-kind take on what it means to feel “at home.”
Life on the water
Mario’s choice to make cruise ships his permanent address wasn’t about saving money; it was all about chasing that sense of freedom and balance that’s hard to come by on solid ground. His adventure kicked off when he left behind a high-pressure finance career that demanded long hours and endless stress. Without the ties of family or a fixed home, Mario decided to hop from one journey to the next on Royal Caribbean’s swanky liners.
His days are packed with the kind of fun you’d expect on a vacation—lounging by sparkling pools, soaking up the sun on open decks, and dancing the night away in classy ballrooms. Yet for Mario, this isn’t just a getaway—it’s every day. The lure of the sea and the unique rhythm of life on board have truly become part of who he is (think of it as a daily blend of work and play in one amazing package).
Balancing work and money
Even though Mario lives in a way most of us only dream about, he still keeps busy as an investor. His “floating office” is nothing fancy—a simple table on the ship’s deck, complete with a handwritten sign that says: “Super Mario’s Office.” This nickname (a friendly nod from the ship’s crew) shows just how at home he is among these seafaring regulars.
Over the past 25 years, Mario has taken more than 1,154 cruises, shelling out between $70,000 and $100,000 a year to keep his lifestyle afloat. Interestingly, he opts for an interior cabin just for catching some shut-eye and getting ready for his day, preferring instead to live fully in the energetic space outside.
Dealing with health issues on board
Living at sea all the time isn’t without its bumps. Mario deals with Mal de Débarquement Syndrome, a rare inner-ear condition that makes him feel like he’s still rocking even when he’s on solid ground (imagine the feeling after a wild boat ride that just won’t go away). This constant wobble sometimes makes walking in a straight line on land tricky—a far cry from the ease he feels on a ship.
While most folks shake off that post-cruise dizziness pretty quickly, it sticks around for Mario because his body’s tuned to the constant motion of life at sea. He rarely steps on land except for vital things like catching flights or handling paperwork in Miami. Even with these challenges, he stays in really good shape—a key point since many cruise companies aren’t set up for passengers who need ongoing medical help.
Sticking with life at sea
Mario’s long-term dedication to his ocean-bound lifestyle isn’t just about personal taste—it also reflects his belief in staying physically active and keeping his independence. By avoiding long periods on land (which tend to worsen his balance issues), he makes sure he can keep cruising from port to port without missing a beat.
As people keep reshaping their ideas of home and how to blend work with life, Mario’s journey gives us a peek into how alternative lifestyles can work thanks to modern travel and tech. His story might just make you rethink what “home” really means and how you could carve out your own unique path—whether that means sailing the high seas or just rolling with life’s unexpected changes.
