A woman has revealed what it’s really like living the suite life on board a cruise ship after spending six months at sea.
Christine Kesteloo, a former cruise director, travels with the Holland America Cruise Line with husband Piet, who works as the chief engineer on staff.
Christine shares her insider knowledge about life on board 738,000 TikTok followersincluding details about what she can and cannot do as someone who lives as a ‘guest, but also as a crew’.
She recently documented their 77 days aboard the ship as it left the dock in Vancouver, Canada and sailed to Alaska.
Christine Kesteloo and husband Piet have become accustomed to permanent sea legs after six months on board a cruise ship
Christine and Piet just spent 77 days aboard the Holland America Cruise Line
The shipping enthusiast, who is now a freelance content creator, explained that she sails for free with her husband and lives on the ship with him while he is at work.
The other half of the year they live in their house in the Netherlands.
“While I live on the cruise ship, I live as a guest but also as a crew,” she told followers in a recent video, which has more than 13.5 million views.
While Christine can do most of the things paying guests can do, there are a few things she isn’t allowed to do.
“Number one: gambling,” she shared. “I’m not allowed to sit behind a slot machine and play with my heart and soul until I win.”
She explained that this was because “it would look a bit strange if I, as the wife of the chief engineer on staff, won a big jackpot.”
Like paying passengers, Christine is allowed in the guest quarters. However, unlike guests, she is also allowed to enter the crew areas.
“But that being said, when I’m in the crew areas I have to wear my badge visibly at all times so they know I’m one of them and I’m allowed to go there,” she explained.
One of the activities that Christine cannot participate in as a ‘crew member’ is gambling
Christine shares her insider knowledge about life on a cruise ship with her 738,000 TikTok followers
On board the cruise ship, Christine says she lives “as a guest but also as a crew.”
Christine gave viewers a sneak peek into the rooms crew members use when living aboard the ship
The former cruise director has a long history at sea, but now enjoys living on a ship as a passenger with crew privileges
Christine then listed the facilities she can use.
“I can use the pool,” she said. ‘The gym I can use, (I) can use the spa – I can use all those guest amenities.”
However, she said it is important that she is respectful to the paying guests.
‘I always use the rule of thumb: if the pool is full, I make sure I get up and give the guests a seat. It’s just the right thing to do,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s the right thing to do if a crew member takes his seat.
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Finally, Christine explained how and which foods and drinks she can consume on board – and how much it costs.
And it seems like other social media users were in awe of her sea life
Christine has always enjoyed life at sea and explains in an older video that she met her husband there
“The food on board is free,” she explained. ‘If I want a soft drink or a drink, I pay 50 percent.
She revealed some other perks of being a crew member – or at least being treated as one.
“I also get discounts in the shops and also in the spa,” Christine said. I also get a discount on the internet.
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Christine has always enjoyed life at sea and explains in an older video that she met her husband there.
And it seems like other commenters were in awe of her sea life.
‘Wait, what WHAT!?! You live on a cruise ship AND you live in the Netherlands?!? Omg girl you are LIVINNGGGGG,” one gushed.
“What I learned: I need to marry a chief engineer,” another joked.
“TikTok always shows me a new way of life,” another added.