Christine Kesteloo, a woman who has voyaged across an impressive 106 countries, has become a prominent figure on social media by sharing her unique lifestyle living on a cruise ship. For over a decade, Christine, originally from the United States, has been residing on cruise liners for half of the year alongside her husband, who serves as the chief engineer of the ship. The couple divides their time between life on the water and their home in The Netherlands.

Living on a cruise ship comes with a range of benefits. Christine enjoys complimentary food and accommodation every day through her husband’s employment. As the spouse of a crew member, she is afforded the privilege of staying onboard without incurring costs, a benefit she often highlights in her TikTok content, which has garnered more than 980,000 followers. Furthermore, she receives a 50% discount on additional purchases such as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, onboard shops, the spa, and internet access.

Christine detailed her living arrangements during her time on the vessel, explaining, “We live on a cruise ship. We always have the same cabin that is assigned to Pete’s position on the ship, and in my opinion, we have the best cabin in the whole entire ship.” She commented on her dual role by saying, “While I live on the cruise ship I live as a guest but also as crew,” which allows her to experience many of the advantages of both positions, albeit with some restrictions.

One notable limitation Christine faces involves gambling. She mentioned, “I am not allowed to sit at a slot machine and play my heart until I win because it would look a little weird if I, as the wife of the chief staff engineer, won like a big jackpot.” This rule highlights the expectations placed on crew members and their families, particularly regarding behaviours that could be perceived as inappropriate.

Despite relishing the perks of her lifestyle, Christine maintains an awareness of the guests around her. She emphasised her commitment to respect during her time on the ship, stating, “If the pool is packed, I make sure to get off and give the guests a seat, it’s just the right thing to do.” Furthermore, she follows protocol when disembarking at ports of call, ensuring that she allows passengers to disembark first before she follows about an hour later.

Christine’s adaptation to life both at sea and on land was addressed in a recent interview with The Mirror. “Pete has been at sea for 30 years and I’ve been at sea for 12 years,” she explained. “After all that time I literally don’t need to adjust to land legs vs sea legs, I don’t feel the difference. It doesn’t bother me anymore.”

Christine Kesteloo’s experiences aboard a cruise ship reflect a lifestyle filled with unique advantages, underscored by her commitment to honouring the cruise experience of fellow passengers. Her story provides insight into the world of cruise living, showcasing its perks and peculiarities in equal measure.

Source: Noah Wire Services