Woman Who Lives On Cruise Ship Reveals The One Gross Thing She Just Can't Stand Watching Guests Do

A content creator who spends over half the year living on a cruise ship has opened up about one seriously gross habit she wishes guests on board would stop doing.

Let’s face it—most of us would jump at the chance to live like we’re on vacation all the time. But for 44-year-old Christine Kesteloo, that’s not just a fantasy. It’s her actual lifestyle.

Christine, a business owner and creator, lives full-time on a cruise ship with her husband, who works as a staff chief engineer. The couple met while Christine was working as a cruise director for the Holland America Line.

Christine, known as "@dutchworld_americangirl" on TikTok, started using social media to support herself after losing her job during the pandemic. These days, she spends more than six months each year at sea while managing a marketing job and running her business, Dune Travels.

Even with so much on her plate, Christine told UNILAD that cruise life still feels like one big vacation.

When asked what she enjoys most about life on the water, she explained: "I have been to 109 countries. I also don't have to pay for petrol, food, make my bed, do my laundry or clean my room."

Christine has traveled to 109 countries Christine Kesteloo

Sounds like a dream, right? Honestly, it’s the kind of life that many people fantasize about.

Christine also insisted that she never really feels bored. She shared: "I have almost three million social friends to entertain. I'm full of energy and when I am not meeting social media friends or guests on board the ship I love to recharge my batteries by being alone in my small cabin."

But while there’s a lot she enjoys, she also admitted there's one behavior she regularly notices from guests that totally grosses her out.

She revealed: "As far as gross parts, I don't like when guests go to the buffet directly after the gym, don't wash their hands."

Yeah... sweaty gym hands touching the buffet trays? That’s a hard pass.

Even so, Christine emphasized that a lot of people don’t quite understand what cruise life is really like and often carry some misconceptions.

Christine lives on ships for at least six months of the year Christine Kesteloo

She pointed out: "They don't realize that there are over 260 cruise ships on the ocean every single day. The ship I live on only has 1,400 guests. Very different from these mega cruise ships."

"Most of the 'myths' you have heard about cruise ships are wrong." she went on to say. "Yes, I do drink the water and no you can't fall overboard unless you are doing something you shouldn't. Cruising is safe."

Christine and her husband plan to keep cruising for at least a few more years. They’ve already booked several long voyages—including trips to Greece, Norway, and Canada. They’ll also be sailing on an epic 91-day journey around Australia, Hawaii, and the Vanuatu Islands, plus another extended cruise to Antarctica.

Her husband might decide to retire in the near future, and if that happens, the couple could finally return to living on land full-time. When that day comes, Christine’s excited about one big change - getting a pet cat.

She admitted: "I really wish I could have a cat. I just love animals." and added: "So does my husband. In our spare time we watch a lot of funny animal videos in our cruise ship cabin. For now the sea animals are my friends."

Aside from her future feline companion, Christine also misses a few simple pleasures from life back home. These include driving, seeing her family, reliable internet, and sipping on a cold McDonald’s Diet Coke. So, when the cruise chapter ends, she’ll have plenty to look forward to on dry land.