A Cuban man has been living on a cruise ship for a staggering 25 years, to the point where his legs can no longer adapt to land, making it difficult for him to walk in a straight line on solid ground. Despite this physical change, he has no regrets as he thoroughly enjoys life at sea.
According to a report by the New York Post on February 2, the man, Mario Salcedo, recently completed his 1,000th cruise voyage with the Royal Caribbean Group, a journey that took him from Miami, Florida in the United States to Panama and the southern Caribbean Sea, spanning 11 nights.
Salcedo revealed that he spends approximately $100,000 a year on cruising, working only about 5 hours a day and spending the rest of his time relaxing and enjoying himself onboard.
In a recent interview with the renowned lifestyle and travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler, Salcedo admitted that he now struggles to adapt to being on land. He sways heavily when on the ground, finding it difficult to walk in a straight line.
“I am so used to being on the ship that it feels more comfortable than being on land,” he said.
He previously mentioned to the magazine that he fell in love with the maritime lifestyle after his first cruise in 1997. Over the years, he has lived on cruise ships, only moving to land for 15 months in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Talking about his experiences with Royal Caribbean, Salcedo emphasized the high-quality treatment he receives and how nothing entices him to leave their ships. Every captain in the company knows him well.
Elaine Warren, the founder and CEO of The Family Cruise Companion website, recently told the UK’s Daily Mail that Salcedo’s leg condition, where he struggles to adjust to land, is actually a symptom known as Mal de debarquement Syndrome.
Warren explained that for many families, the idea of staying on a cruise ship for an extended period sounds like a dream. The convenience, entertainment, and inclusivity of this experience make it an appealing idea. However, transitioning from a vacation mindset to actually living at sea can bring about unexpected challenges, especially for one’s physical well-being.
Warren, who has assisted numerous families in planning cruise vacations over the years, highlighted that while short-term trips are one thing, prolonged stays on ships offer a completely different experience. The first adjustment is to the continuous rocking motion. Although the body adapts to the ship’s movement over time, the outcome is not always favorable.
Many long-term cruisers develop the ability to walk steadily without feeling seasick on the swaying ship, but find walking on land to be peculiar. Some individuals who have lived at sea for months have reported feeling disoriented upon returning to land—it’s almost as if the land itself is swaying.
Data from the renowned US medical institution, the Cleveland Clinic, indicates that Mal de debarquement Syndrome is a rare vestibular (responsible for the body’s balance and spatial awareness) disorder that can make individuals feel like they are moving even when they are still.
While Mal de debarquement Syndrome typically resolves within 24 hours, in certain cases, it can persist for months or even years.