It’s always delightful when your significant other brings some extra perks to the table. Sure, their unwavering love and affection are more than sufficient. However, a playful discount at your favorite restaurant or a handful of complimentary goodies from their workplace can certainly sweeten the deal in your relationship.
In the case of this American woman, Christine Kesteloo, she’s living a charmed life. Sailing aboard a cruise ship for free, all thanks to her husband. Her husband serves as the Staff Chief Engineer on the ship. And Christine enjoys a unique status as both a guest and a crew member.
There are so many advantages to living on a cruise ship
She relishes numerous advantages, permitting her to partake in almost every activity available to the ship’s crew and guests, with a few minor exceptions. Christine actively chronicles her life onboard the cruise ship on TikTok, openly discussing some restrictions she faces in her videos.
With a dedicated following of over 680,000 users on the platform, she emphasizes her respect for the privacy and enjoyment of guests and crew members while aboard. She elaborates that it would be “disrespectful” to film them during their holiday. However, she notes that the situation changes when they appear in her videos off the ship.
Read: A couple in their 50s live permanently on a cruise ship because it’s cheaper than a mortgage
No gambling on the cruise ship for Christine, either
Christine also reveals that she abstains from gambling on the ship. Explaining, “Because it would look a little weird if I, as the wife of the staff chief engineer, won a big jackpot.” She goes on to elaborate in her video that there are even more rules she needs to stick to.
There’s a strict rule she adheres to, much like regular guests. She cannot afford to be tardy when it comes to reboarding the cruise ship. She states emphatically that they won’t wait for her. The same applies to her husband because someone else would assume his role if they missed the ship.
There is a level of respect that needs to be maintained at all times
Furthermore, she shares that although it’s not strictly forbidden, she chooses not to display videos of medical evacuations during search and rescue missions out of respect for the individuals involved. Having served as a cruise director in the past, Christine willingly surrenders her space in guest areas, particularly around the crowded pool, as she believes it’s the right thing to do.
Some followers were not as thrilled by the idea, but others were excited. “No shade here, but how do you keep yourself busy? I imagine it must get boring once the novelty has worn off” One said. Another excitedly piped in saying “Calling all cruise ship engineers… I’m single and ready to be a wife on board!”
While Christine enjoys complimentary meals at various dining venues onboard, she does incur costs for soft drinks and alcohol, albeit with a generous 50 percent discount. Additionally, she benefits from discounts in the onboard shops, spa areas, and internet access. All in all, it seems like a pretty enviable life, wouldn’t you agree?
So what would it cost to live on a cruise ship?
Keep Reading: The world’s biggest cruise ship is almost ready
Sources
- “Woman shares four things she cannot do while living for free on cruise ship with husband.” Tyla. Jess Battison. August 21, 2023
- TikTok.@dutchworld_americangirl