All hands off deck?
Christine Kesteloo, a business owner and TikTok content creator, lives on board a cruise ship for six months of the year.
While most of the experience “feels like a constant vacation,” the 44-year-old told Unilad that there are some elements to life on the high seas that she could do without.
“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,” she said.
Even though some fellow passengers have some icky inclinations, Kesteloo claims she enjoys cruise life, and added that at least her drifting dwelling only houses around 1,400 passengers, as opposed to the mega ships that take on upwards of 5,000 sea-faring sightseers.
Thus, foulness is infrequent due to a more manageable crew-guest ratio.
“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.”
The mariner, who spends the other half of the year in the Netherlands, also said that she knows her gripe is just a drop in the ocean, especially when considering the benefits of being on board the ship — plus, she’s no stranger to life on the open seas.
Prior to being a part-time resident, she worked as a cruise ship director, so she’s all too familiar with some of the more bizarre elements of boat life.
Now, she maintains her seafaring status by way of her husband, who works as the resident chief engineer aboard the ship that the couple lives on.
“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, revealing the best parts of her experience.
She also told The Mirror that the couple stays in the same cabin every time, and in her opinion, it’s “the best cabin in the whole entire ship.”
She also has access to — almost — all of the amenities that guests do. The only one that’s a serious no-no? The casino floor.
“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.
She also said that she tries to be as courteous as possible when living on the ship.
“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. 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,” she added.
Though some would tire of constant vacationing, the couple has planned several additional voyages for the next year, including long-haul visits to Australia, Greece and even Antarctica.
While she’s savoring her time on the seas for now, she said it’s likely once her husband retires in a few years, they’ll go back to life on land.
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