When it comes to living on a cruise ship, the option looks better every day.
Not only would you get to pack it all in and sunbathe pretty much daily (depending on your route), chances are you’d be saving money, too.
Who could forget couple Marty and Jess Ansen, who booked 51 back-to-back cruises because it’s cheaper than living in a retirement home?
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And there was also John and Melody Hennessee, who discovered it’s ‘cheaper than living on land’.
I digress.
If this is something you’d seriously consider, you might be wondering what kind of rules you have to live by whilst on your sea-based adventure.
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Well, look no further than Christine Kesteloo, who chronicles her life living aboard a cruise ship on TikTok, and answers all we’d ever need to know.
Christine’s hubby is a staff chief engineer on the cruise ship - so she comes along for the ride. She also explained that, whilst relaxing as a guest, she also has the privilege of accessing places and facilities usually reserved for crew.
So, what does that mean exactly?
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Firstly, Christine gets to live on the ship for free. She can also enjoy the food offerings in any of the on-board restaurants for free as well - but that’s not all. If she wants to buy anything or use the spa area, she gets a hefty discount - 50%.
Life of Riley!
Christine then told viewers her non-negotiable rules for living on a cruise ship, in a TikTok that has amassed over 1.2 million likes.
No gambling
Christine explains that it wouldn’t be a good look for the wife of a crew member to win big whilst gambling.
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She said: “It would look a little weird if I, as the wife of the staff chief engineer, won a big jackpot. So I am not allowed to gamble on the ship."
Wear an easily-identifiable badge
To avoid the awkwardness of people thinking she’s a regular passenger hunting around the crew areas, Christine has to wear an easily identifiable badge.
She explained: “I am allowed in crew areas and guest areas but with that said when I am in crew areas I always have to wear my badge visible so they know I'm 'one of them' and allowed down there.”
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The customer comes first
Christine admits that living onboard a cruise ship for free should have limits.
She said: "If the pool is packed I make sure to get up and give the guests a seat, it's just the right thing to do.
"I used to be cruise director so I totally understand how to give guests the best time."
She then explained that, whilst she’d be allowed to get off the cruise first as a ‘passenger’ when they reach their destination, she hangs back and lets others go first.
Be insured
Christine has to ensure she's insured to travel all over the world.
She continued: "When I'm on the ship travelling with my husband I do have to at all times have international travellers insurance, medical, if something were to happen.
"Because we live in the Netherlands we have coverage there, my husband holds it on me and we just pay a little bit extra every single month."
Christine seems to have inspired a lot of people to swap land for sea.
One person commented: "This is a POV I never knew I needed."
Another said: "You live in the Netherlands normally AND get to live on a cruise ship for free????? LIFE GOALS. You WON the lottery oh my god."
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/dutchgirl_americanworld/Walter Bibikow/GettyImagesTopics: Cruise Ship, TikTok, True Life, Travel