Latest news with #ChristineKesteloo


The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
TikToker who lives on cruise ship debunks common myths about life at sea
Christine Kesteloo, a TikTok content creator, spends six months a year living on a cruise ship with her husband, who works as a chief staff engineer. She describes the experience as a 'constant vacation' and debunks common myths, asserting that cruising is safe, and the water is drinkable. Kesteloo's main complaint is passengers not washing their hands before using the buffet after the gym. Perks of her lifestyle include visiting 109 countries and not having to pay for essentials like food or laundry. Due to her husband's position, she is not permitted to gamble in the ship's casino and prioritizes guests' comfort, such as giving up her seat by the pool.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman who lives on cruise ship reveals top ‘gross' habit she sees from guests
After living on a cruise ship for six months out of the year, a woman has pointed out the most disgusting habit she has seen from her fellow passengers. Christine Kesteloo, a 44-year-old business owner and content creator on TikTok, recently spoke to Unilad about what she notices when she is aboard the ship with her husband, who works as a chief staff engineer. While she told the publication that living on a cruise ship 'feels like a constant vacation,' she did admit that everything is not sunshine and rainbows. 'As far as gross [parts], I don't like when guests go to the buffet directly after the gym, [and] don't wash their hands,' Kesteloo said. Despite the drawback, the TikToker pointed out that she mostly enjoys her cruise life, noting that her ship only carries 1,400 passengers compared to larger and more commercial ships that house at least 5,000 people. 'Most of the 'myths' you have heard about cruise ships are wrong,' Kesteloo added. 'Yes, I do drink the water, and no, you can't fall overboard unless you are doing something you shouldn't. Cruising is safe.' However, the best part of living on a cruise ship, according to her, is the extra perks. '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,' she said. Kesteloo also noted in an interview with The Mirror that every time she and her husband are on the ship, they stay in 'the best cabin in the whole entire ship.' The only amenity she does not take advantage of is the boat's casino. '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. So I am not allowed to gamble on the ship,' she said. And because her husband is an employee on the ship, she tries to ensure the guests are given priority over her. '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,' Kesteloo said. 'I totally understand how to give guests the best time, and I don't think a crew member taking their seat is the right thing to do.' Solve the daily Crossword


The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Woman who lives on cruise ship reveals top ‘gross' habit she sees from guests
After living on a cruise ship for six months out of the year, a woman has pointed out the most disgusting habit she has seen from her fellow passengers. Christine Kesteloo, a 44-year-old business owner and content creator on TikTok, recently spoke to Unilad about what she notices when she is aboard the ship with her husband, who works as a chief staff engineer. While she told the publication that living on a cruise ship 'feels like a constant vacation,' she did admit that everything is not sunshine and rainbows. 'As far as gross [parts], I don't like when guests go to the buffet directly after the gym, [and] don't wash their hands,' Kesteloo said. Despite the drawback, the TikToker pointed out that she mostly enjoys her cruise life, noting that her ship only carries 1,400 passengers compared to larger and more commercial ships that house at least 5,000 people. 'Most of the 'myths' you have heard about cruise ships are wrong,' Kesteloo added. 'Yes, I do drink the water, and no, you can't fall overboard unless you are doing something you shouldn't. Cruising is safe.' However, the best part of living on a cruise ship, according to her, is the extra perks. '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,' she said. Kesteloo also noted in an interview with The Mirror that every time she and her husband are on the ship, they stay in 'the best cabin in the whole entire ship.' The only amenity she does not take advantage of is the boat's casino. '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. So I am not allowed to gamble on the ship,' she said. And because her husband is an employee on the ship, she tries to ensure the guests are given priority over her. '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,' Kesteloo said. 'I totally understand how to give guests the best time, and I don't think a crew member taking their seat is the right thing to do.'

News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
We earn $200k and live free on cruise ship
A woman who works and lives aboard cruise ships with her husband has revealed how she enjoyed free food and accommodation every day for more than a decade. Christine Kesteloo worked as a cruise director for many years and currently lives aboard ships run by Holland America Line where her husband is a chief engineer. Average salaries for cruise directors are about $100,000 while chief engineers can earn in excess of $200,000, bringing their combined annual income when both were working at the same time to $300,000. Not a bad income for a couple who don't pay for food and accommodation aboard the ships they work. Kestaloo has more than 1 million followers on TikTok where she shares her cruising experiences. MORE: Couple sell home to live on 15-year cruise She enjoys the privileges of both a guest and crew but says there are several rules she has to follow despite living the high life at sea. '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. So I am not allowed to gamble on the ship,' she said in one video. In a separate video Kestaloo also claimed she wasn't allowed to win bingo. 'It is sea day and we are off to play bingo with our group,' she said. MORE: What you get in a $86m cruise ship home 'Mother, have you won bingo yet? No because you're not allowed to win bingo. Because she's my mum she can't win the prizes.' Kestaloo accesses her free food and accommodation because crew members' spouses stay for free. She also receives a 50 per cent discount on extras such as drinks, shops, and spas.. Kestaloo does have some official duties despite being a guest, routinely hosting guests at dinner. 'This is my table for the night that I am hosting,' she said. 'And I am so excited because the Parmesan-crusted chicken breast is on the menu. With the honey-mustard sauce … so good,' she said in a recent video. MORE: True cost of living on a cruise ship revealed 'It did look pretty … with mash potatoes of course. 'By the way on the Holland America Line ships this honey-mustard chicken meal, when it comes out, is my favourite.' Despite have access to all the ship's leisure activities, Kestaloo said she also tried to make space for holiday guests whenever possible. '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,' she said. 'I totally understand how to give guest the best time and I don't think a crew member taking their seat is the right thing to do.' Kestaloo said living abord the cruise ship was like being 'on vacation every day'. 'Every day, I'm in a new place and my biggest decisions are whether I want to go to teatime, lie in the sun, or do a wine tasting,' she said. 'When the pandemic hit in 2020, I lost my job because of organisational shifts. Now, I sail with my husband as a 'wife on board,' also known as a WOB. When we aren't living on a cruise ship, we call Vlissingen, Netherlands, home.' Kestaloo isn't alone when it comes to living aboad cruise ships, although others are actually aiming to beat the cost of living crisis by selling their home and hitting the high seas. One US woman went as far as . Others choose to cruise-hop by securing deal after deal on conventional holiday cruise ships.