Woman Who Lives on Cruise Ships Shares the One Gross Habit She Can’t Stand

For most of us, the idea of living on a cruise ship full-time sounds like pure fantasy – no cooking, no cleaning, and waking up somewhere new almost every day. But for 44-year-old Christine Kesteloo, it’s simply her reality.

Christine, a former cruise director turned content creator, now spends at least six months of the year at sea with her husband, who works as a staff chief engineer. From the outside, it might look like a never-ending holiday, but she admits there are parts of cruise life that aren’t quite so glamorous. In fact, there’s one habit she regularly sees from guests that she just can’t stand.

Meet Christine

Christine’s life at sea began long before she became a familiar face on TikTok. She spent years working as a cruise director with Holland America Line, where she met her husband, now a staff chief engineer. When the pandemic hit and she lost her job, Christine shifted her focus online, building an audience of nearly three million followers under the handle @dutchworld_americangirl.

@dutchworld_americangirl

Come to work with me in Skagway, Alaska at Milano jewelry I will be doing meet and greets all season even if I am not here. You can stop in the store and get your free commemorative coin while in store check out dancing Diamonds and dune jewelry. @Dune Jewelry #milanojewelry #cometoworkwithme #alaska #alaskacruise #jewelry #skagway

♬ fun(1128331) – Darian

These days she balances life on board with running her own business, Dune Travels, and juggling marketing projects. It’s a busy schedule, but the perks are hard to ignore. As she told Unilad: “I have been to 109 countries. I also don’t have to pay for petrol, food, make my bed, do my laundry or clean my room.”

For Christine, that combination of endless travel and zero chores makes ship life feel like “a constant vacation.”

Downside of Cruise Life

While Christine describes her lifestyle as a “constant vacation,” she’s the first to admit it’s not always picture-perfect. Life at sea means giving up some of the everyday comforts people on land take for granted.

She misses being able to drive, having a reliable internet connection, and even enjoying what she calls a “crisp McDonald’s Diet Coke.” One thing she’d especially love? A pet cat. “I really wish I could have a cat. I just love animals,” she said, adding that for now, she and her husband settle for watching funny animal videos together in their cabin.

Despite those sacrifices, Christine and her husband already have their next voyages lined up. They’ll be sailing through Greece, Norway, and Canada, with longer journeys including 91 days around Australia, Hawaii, and the Vanuatu Islands, followed by a 91-day cruise to Antarctica. For now, she has no plans to swap her cabin for dry land.

@dutchworld_americangirl

What’s it like to live on a cruise ship? Well if you follow me you’ll find out exactly what it’s like to live day in and day out on a cruise ship. Tomorrow starts day one. #livingonacruiseship #livingonacruiseship #worldcruise #cruisetok #cruiseshiplife #iliveonacruiseship #travelcouple #panamacanalcruise #worldcruise2023 #amazoncruise #worldcruisers #weliveonacruiseship #dutchworld_americangirl

♬ 10 minutes BGM for light training such as yoga(845880) – kakumaru

The Gross Habit She Can’t Ignore

Even after years of working and living at sea, there’s one thing Christine still can’t get used to. It’s not the endless buffets or the crowds by the pool, it’s the lack of basic hygiene she sometimes sees from guests.

“As far as gross [parts], I don’t like when guests go to the buffet directly after the gym, don’t wash their hands,” she told Unilad. The thought of sweaty, unwashed hands grabbing serving utensils is enough to make anyone lose their appetite, and Christine knows all too well how quickly germs can spread on board.

For her, it’s a small reminder that even in a lifestyle that feels like a permanent holiday, the little things passengers do can have a big impact on everyone else.

Looking Ahead

For now, Christine and her husband plan to keep life afloat. With a series of long voyages already scheduled, they expect to spend at least the next couple of years at sea. Retirement is on the horizon for her husband, and when that day comes, the pair may finally return to land for good.

That shift would come with a few perks Christine has long dreamed of, like adopting a cat, having fast and reliable Wi-Fi, and enjoying simple pleasures such as driving again. Until then, she’s content with her cabin, her travels, and her unusual but enviable lifestyle of calling the ocean home.

You Might Also Like…