Meet “Super Mario” who’s been on 1,000 cruises « Euro Weekly News
72-year-old Mario Salcedo, endearingly known as “Super Mario,” has reached an extraordinary milestone: his 1,000th cruise with Royal Caribbean.
Aboard the Explorer of the Seas, Mario celebrated this achievement with crew, fellow passengers, and even special appearances from cruise industry figures.
Over the past 25 years, Mario has become a familiar face on Royal Caribbean cruises, living at sea full-time apart from a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. He told All Things Cruise in 2021, “I’m so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land.”
Mario Salcedo: The man who lives on cruise ships
Mario’s love for cruising began in the late 1990s. Dissatisfied with his high-pressure career as an international finance director, he took his first cruise in 1997 and immediately fell in love with life on the ocean. By 2000, Mario made the bold decision to live permanently aboard Royal Caribbean ships, spending only about 15 days a year on land.
Mario’s lifestyle doesn’t come cheap. According to a 2019 interview, he spends around $72,000 (€65,500) annually for an interior cabin, rising to $101,258 (€92,100) for a balcony cabin. Despite these costs, he notes that cruising can be more affordable than assisted living in the United States, which he says averages $100,380 (€91,345) per year.
Mario Salcedo’s 1,000 cruises
Mario’s 1,000th cruise milestone was marked with a special event on the ship’s Royal Promenade. Donning a custom-made jacket with captain’s epaulets and the words “Super Mario’s 1000th Cruise,” Mario celebrated alongside Royal Caribbean staff and passengers. Cruise Director Mitch shared the achievement on social media, saying, “He’s been cruising full-time with Royal Caribbean since 1999.”
Mario is also a Pinnacle Club member, the highest tier of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society. With over 10,000 loyalty points earned, he enjoys perks like free internet and complimentary cruises – not sure how much he needs those!
Mario shows no signs of stopping. His favourite itineraries include the Caribbean, and he has a soft spot for Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti. Reflecting on his journey, Mario shared with Royal Caribbean: “With so many friends and memories made out at sea over the years, I plan to continue cruising indefinitely so long as I’m in good health and having fun.”
For expats considering an alternative lifestyle or those simply fascinated by a unique approach to retirement, Mario’s story offers a glimpse into a truly adventurous life at sea. Another inspiring story of a pensioner living life to the max is of Margaret Dillon, an 86-year-old grandma partying in Ibiza.
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