Featured Image Credit: ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: News, Travel, Cruise Ship, Food and Drink, Money
Bec Oakes
Topics: News, Travel, Cruise Ship, Food and Drink, Money
For many people, a cruise is the ideal holiday. With endless on-board activities to all-inclusive food and drinks, what more could you ask for?
Some people love cruising so much that they even buy flats on ships.
Now, imagine what it'd be like if you live on a cruise ship without having to drop a single penny.
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That's the case for Christine Kesteloo, who shares her experience of living on board with her 980,000 followers on TikTok.
But, while it may sound like she's living the dream, there's one catch...
Former cruise director Kesteloo spends half her time travelling the world on a cruise ship alongside her husband, who works as a cruise's chief engineer, and has been lucky enough to go to 106 countries.
The other half is spent living in the Netherlands.
Speaking to the Mirror about life on board, she said: "We always have the same cabin that is assigned to Pete’s position on the ship, and in my opinion, we have the best cabin in the whole entire ship."
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And, due to her husband's job, it doesn't cost her a thing.
"While I live on the cruise ship I live as a guest but also as crew," and she gets to reap in the benefits of both.
Christine gets to enjoy the same perks as the crew - including free food, half-price alcoholic drinks and discounted internet access - as well guest amenities such as the pool, spa and gym.
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But she tries not to hog any of the amenities from guests, allowing them to enjoy the facilities before she uses them herself.
"If the pool is packed, I make sure to get off [the pool lounger] 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 said.
After all, who cares about not having a lounger for the afternoon when you've got another six months on board to go?
On top of this, there's one thing you'll never catch her doing because it's heavily frowned upon by the cruise company: placing bets at the casino.
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Christine explained: "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."