For most people, cruises are temporary vacations, but for 44-year-old Christine Kesteloo, the cruise ship is home for much of the year. Having worked as a Cruise Director on Holland America Line, she met her husband there, who’s now the Staff Chief Engineer. When the pandemic ended her cruise job, Christine began documenting their life at sea, captivating over a million TikTok followers.
Her daily routine is far from relaxing. She balances producing content with marketing for two jewelry businesses and running a female-led cruise company called Dune Travels, which puts on several group cruises every year. Christine’s mornings usually start late, unlike her husband’s early shift. She spends time creating videos, answering her followers, and grabbing meals either from the restaurants onboard or through room service—which her fans particularly enjoy seeing.
Lunch is a moment to catch up with her husband, then she dives back into work until dinner time, when they often eat together before settling down for a movie. Living onboard means no gas bills, never cleaning or doing laundry, and always having food close by. Still, Christine shares one big wish: to have a cat. Since pets aren’t allowed, she cherishes watching funny animal videos and the marine life near the ship.
The opportunity to visit 109 countries from the ship is an incredible part of her lifestyle. Port days mean she meets fans and works on jewelry marketing. Although the years ahead are packed with cruises, Christine and her husband are preparing for the day he retires and they settle on land.
