Man who’s lived on cruise ship for more than 20 years recalls ‘unforgettable’ moment he boarded ‘cruise to nowhere’
If you're spending thousands of dollars a year to live on a cruise ship, the chances are you're going to have some interesting tales to talk about.
Mario Salcedo certainly does. Over 20 years ago, the man from Cuba decided he was going to live permanently on ships of the Royal Caribbean cruise line.
He was just 47 years old at the time, and since making the decision it seems like he's been loving his life - despite suffering a bizarre side effect because of it.
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Staff on some of the cruise lines have even set up a permanent working space for Salcedo, marked with a plaque, while employees across the board know him as 'Super Mario'.
Speaking on how he manages his money while living on the cruise ship, Salcedo broke down some of his costs and what it's been like living on a floating home that travels around the world.
In an interview with All Things Cruise in 2021, he said: "I’m so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land.
"For 23 years. Always on Royal Caribbean. It’s the best lifestyle I can find. More than 9,000 nights cruising with Royal Caribbean, 52 weeks a year. Cruising never gets old."
Now, in a recent Royal Caribbean blog, Salcedo spoke about his 'most memorable cruise memory' - an 'unforgettable' moment he boarded a 'cruise to nowhere'.
"Without a doubt, the ‘hurricane evacuation’ cruise onboard Enchantment of the Seas in September, 2017," he said.
It was as Hurricane Irma was barreling towards South Florida with winds as strong as 150mph, he explained, evacuation orders were issued but there were no flights, hotel rooms or even car rentals.
Salcedo further explained how bottled water and essentials were running dry and that residents in Miami were 'essentially trapped'.
"A famous CEO came up with the brilliant idea to offer Enchantment of the Seas to the Miami-based shoreside employees and their immediate families as a means of quick, safe, and free evacuation," he continued.
"I believe the ship carried nearly 3,000 employees and families as she sailed out of Miami and out of harm's way for a four-day cruise to nowhere. I may have been the only real guest onboard.
"That sailing gave me the unique opportunity to meet, chat, and socialize with many shoreside employees. It was a new and truly unforgettable experience."
Salcedo added: "I love the onboard crew, but this unplanned encounter with the shoreside employee population was unlike anything I’d ever experienced."
The cruise lover previously explained that he is quite good at keeping himself on a tight budget and for his basic day-to-day cost, he regularly only spends about $100 - however, he did warn that additional costs could quickly add up.
In 2019, Salcedo said an inside cabin with no window could cost him $72,093 a year.
This rose to $101,258 for a cabin with a balcony - and jumped even higher to $136,000 if you fancied a junior suite.
Topics: Cruise ship, Royal Caribbean
Joe Yates