Featured Image Credit: Christine Kesteloo
Topics: Cruise ship, Travel, Social Media
Emily Brown
A content creator who spends at least six months every year living on a cruise ship has revealed one gross habit she doesn't like to see from the guests who join her on board.
I'm sure most of us would do anything to live life as a permanent vacation, but for 44-year-old Christine Kesteloo, that dream is a reality.
The creator and business owner lives on board a cruise ship with her husband, who works as staff chief engineer, after they met while Christine was working as a cruise director on board the Holland America Line.
Christine, who goes by @dutchworld_americangirl on TikTok, turned to social media to help her make a living after she lost her job in the coronavirus pandemic, and now spends at least six months a year at sea while also juggling jobs in marketing and running a business, Dune Travels.
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Though she certainly has 'a lot going on', Christine told UNILAD living on a cruise ship 'feels like a constant vacation'.
Sharing the best part about her life on board, she explained: "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."
That's certainly a life I could get used to.
Christine also assured she 'never gets bored', saying: "I have almost three million social friends to entertain. I'm full of energy and when I am not meeting social media friends or guests on board the ship I love to recharge my batteries by being alone in my small cabin."
But while she loves meeting guests, Christine admitted there is one habit she's seen from travelers that she could live without.
She said: "As far as gross [parts], I don't like when guests go to the buffet directly after the gym, don't wash their hands."
Sweaty, unwashed hands all over the buffet? No thanks.
However, Christine made clear that people often have the 'wrong idea' about cruise ships.
She explained: "They don't realize that there are over 260 cruise ships on the ocean every single day. The ship I live on only has 1,400 guests. Very different from these mega cruise ships.
"Most of the 'myths' you have heard about cruise ships are wrong," she continued. "Yes, I do drink the water and no you can't fall overboard unless you are doing something you shouldn't. Cruising is safe."
Christine expects that she and her husband will continue to live on cruise ships 'for at least the next couple of years', with the pair already scheduled on board 'long cruises' to Greece, Norway and Canada, as well as 91 days around Australia, Hawaii and the Vanuatu Islands, and a 'legendary' 91 day cruise to Antarctica.
Her husband may retire in a couple of years, at which point they may return to dry land full-time. When that happens, Christine would finally be able to get the one thing she can't have on a cruise ship: a cat.
"I really wish I could have a cat. I just love animals," she said, adding: "So does my husband. In our spare time we watch a lot of funny animal videos in our cruise ship cabin. For now the sea animals are my friends."
Christine also misses driving, 'good' internet connection, family and 'a crisp McDonald's diet coke', so at least she's got a lot waiting for her when her time at sea comes to an end!