Woman Reveals Perks and Quirks of Living Full-Time on Cruise Ships

For over a decade, Christine Kesteloo has enjoyed a unique lifestyle, residing on cruise ships and reaping the benefits of free food and accommodation.

Kesteloo, formerly a cruise director, now lives aboard Holland america Line ships where her husband works as a chief engineer. The couple’s combined income, when both were working, reached $300,000 annually.

Life at Sea: Perks and Privileges

Kesteloo shares her cruising experiences with over 1 million followers on tiktok, offering a glimpse into her unconventional life.

While enjoying the advantages of both a guest and crew member, she adheres to specific rules.”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 explained in a video.

She also mentioned restrictions around winning at bingo. “It is indeed sea day and we are off to play bingo with our group,” she said. “Mother, have you won bingo yet? No as you’re not allowed to win bingo. Because she’s my mum she can’t win the prizes.”

She was a cruise director for many years but now travels as the spouse of a crew member.

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The Economics of Cruise Ship Living

As a crew member’s spouse, Kesteloo’s free food and accommodation are significant perks. She also benefits from a 50 per cent discount on extras like drinks, shopping, and spa treatments.

Despite being a guest, Kesteloo hosts guests at dinner. ”This is my table for the night that I am hosting,” she said. “And I am so excited as the Parmesan-crusted chicken breast is on the menu. With the honey-mustard sauce … so good,” she said in a recent video.

Kestaloo loves living aboard a cruise ship.

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Life at Sea: Balancing Leisure and Consideration

“It did look pretty … with mash potatoes of course.

“Incidentally speaking on the Holland America Line ships this honey-mustard chicken meal, when it comes out, is my favorite.”

Kesteloo also prioritizes guest experience. “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.”

Her favourite meal is parmesan-crusted chicken breast.

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A Growing Trend

Kestaloo describes her life as “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 as 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 is not alone in embracing cruise ship living, with some individuals selling their homes to offset the cost of living.one US woman purchased a $2.9 million apartment on a residential cruise ship.

Others opt for cruise-hopping, securing deals on conventional holiday cruises. Another woman detailed how she lives aboard cruise ships full-time for as little as $3350 a month.

Kestaloo enjoys the perks of guests and crew.

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