Christine Kesteloo, a free spirit from the USA who made her home on cruise ships for more than 10 years. Living in Vlissingen, Netherlands When she is not cruising, Kesteloo has been to 109 countries and on 110 Alaskan cruise. Her unconventional lifestyle comes with a host of advantages. Thanks to her husband Pete, a former chief engineer and now Port Engineer for Holland America Line, she gets free cabin and food.
Originally from the Netherlands, Kesteloo has lived 12 years on the oceans. She writes affirmatively and happily about what she calls her “notoriously shady / pretty sweet life. She welcomes the gifts her journeys bring. Her nearly one million TikTok followers are all ears as she shares her exciting journey. With 32 million likes on her clips, Kesteloo provides a glimpse into life aboard a cruise ship, showcasing both the benefits and challenges of living on the water.
Life aboard a cruise ship provides Kesteloo with some everyday comforts. On tour, she is appreciative of the free food and lodging. The ship’s crew is responsible for preparing meals, cleaning and laundry, among other duties. On top of this, she’s enjoying a 50% reduction on supplements such as drinks and spa services. Kesteloo runs up against some logistical limitations. She can’t gamble on the ship, so she usually purchases wifi, sometimes for cheaper prices they test internet access on their trips.
Even with these comforts, life at sea is one part complicated and two parts unpredictable. Kesteloo explained that right now they just had swells of 15-18 feet. The motion in the ocean is nothing new to me,” she said. I serve half the year living aboard the ship. She has become comfortable with the cadence of ocean life.
“Pete has been at sea for 30 years and I’ve been at sea for 12 years and after all that time I literally don’t need to adjust to land legs vs sea legs, I don’t feel the difference. It doesn’t bother me anymore,” – Christine Kesteloo.
Her time on the ship has made her really sensitive to how that environment is going to feel. She humorously notes that during rough seas, “you would see a lot of people falling,” referring to guests struggling with the ship’s movement. “Plates and glasses and chairs making noises because they too were crashing down,” she said.
Kesteloo’s dedication to sharing her experiences goes far beyond social media. She prides herself on keeping her guests happy while on board. When the pool is really full, I ALWAYS leave my chair empty to ensure guests have a place to sit. Because it’s just the right thing to do, quite frankly,” she said. I now understand in a very specific way what it takes to produce a fantastic experience for visitors. There just is not something about a crew member sitting down.
Kesteloo enjoys her newfound leisure time aboard. She comes to understand that when you live in tight quarters with your husband, you are never alone. “Living in a small space means my husband and I are used to being together all the time,” she explained. It could be a tall order for some couples. For Kesteloo, it’s an opportunity for them both to fortify their connection as they approach their third wedding anniversary.
As they sail toward their next stop, Kesteloo, who expects this journey will inspire many more like it, contemplates what lies ahead. Today, tomorrow is our last day at sea and then we will be in Hawaii. It’s a six-day sail out to Hawaii. As most sailors in the Pacific Ocean will tell you, this beloved body of water can turn on you at any moment, taking you from placid seas to turbulent hardships.
Leave a Reply