Live On A Ship

Living full-time on a cruise ship might sound like the ultimate escape – no chores, no commute, and a new view outside your window every morning. But for 44-year-old Christine Kesteloo, it’s not a fantasy, it’s just… life.

Christine used to work as a cruise director before swapping schedules and staff meetings for social media and sea days. Now she spends at least six months a year on board with her husband, who’s a staff chief engineer, sharing glimpses of her floating home with millions of followers online.

It all looks idyllic – but as Christine admits, there’s one thing about ship life that really turns her stomach.

From Cruise Director to Digital Nomad at Sea

Christine’s love affair with cruising started long before her TikTok fame.

She spent years working for Holland America Line, where she met her husband. When the global shutdown hit in 2020, her time at sea came to an abrupt halt, so she reinvented herself online.

Now known to nearly three million followers as @dutchworld_americangirl, she’s carved out a career sharing stories, tips, and behind-the-scenes peeks into what it’s like to live where other people holiday.

Alongside her content creation, she also runs her travel business, Dune Travels, and takes on marketing work – all from her cabin. It’s a busy lifestyle, but one she’s not complaining about.

“I’ve been to 109 countries…I don’t pay for petrol, food, or cleaning, and I never have to make the bed or do the laundry.”

It’s easy to see why she calls it “a constant vacation.”

Life at Sea Isn’t All Smooth Sailing

Of course, even paradise comes with its small print. For Christine, there are moments when the charm of life at sea wears thin.

She misses having a car, reliable WiFi, and the little luxuries of life on land – like what she calls a “crisp McDonald’s Diet Coke.”

And as an animal lover, the biggest downside is not being able to have a pet. “I’d love a cat,” she said wistfully, explaining that for now, she and her husband settle for watching funny animal videos together.

Read more: Cruising With A Cat on the Villa Vie Odyssey

Still, their travel plans are enough to make anyone envious.

The couple will soon set sail through Greece, Norway, and Canada, followed by epic 91-day voyages around Australia, Hawaii, and the Vanuatu Islands, and then another long cruise to Antarctica.

Home, for now, is wherever the ship drops anchor.

The Habit That Makes Her Skin Crawl

You might assume the worst part of ship life would be the constant crowds or endless buffets – but for Christine, it’s something far less obvious.

What really grosses her out? Passengers who hit the buffet right after the gym without washing their hands.

“As far as gross things go, that’s the one that really gets me,” she told Unilad. The idea of sweaty, unwashed hands grabbing shared serving utensils is enough to ruin anyone’s appetite.

Having spent so long on ships, Christine knows better than most how quickly germs can spread in a floating city.

Read more: 21 Cruise Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Cruise (From an Experienced Cruiser)

It’s a small act of laziness that can make a big difference – and one that never fails to make her cringe.

Why Cruise Ships Are So Obsessed with Handwashing

If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’ll know that hand hygiene isn’t optional. There’s a reason crew members practically (or actually) sing about it.

Cruise ships occasionally battle outbreaks of Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that can spread rapidly in enclosed environments.

Read more: Norovirus On Cruise Ships: Shocking Stats And How to Stay Healthy!

One infected person touching a buffet utensil or door handle can set off a chain reaction – and before you know it, hundreds of passengers are ill.

That’s why cruise lines take handwashing so seriously. It’s common to see hand sanitising stations at every restaurant entrance, and staff reminding guests to “washy washy” before meals.

Some ships even make it fun – with crew performing catchy “wash your hands” songs and dances as people enter the buffet area.

What might seem like a bit of light-hearted entertainment is actually an important health measure.

Even with strict cleaning protocols and advanced air filtration systems, a single lapse in hygiene can have major consequences at sea.

What’s Next for Christine

Christine and her husband plan to keep their sea-based life going for the next few years, with her husband’s retirement on the horizon. When that day finally arrives, the pair might settle down on dry land.

She’s already daydreaming about what that might look like – adopting a cat, enjoying high-speed internet, and getting back behind the wheel.

Until then, she’s more than happy drifting from port to port, creating content, running her business, and soaking up the adventure – as long as everyone remembers to wash their hands before lunch.

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Living on a cruise ship is the dream, right? Picture yourself swapping a daily grind for sunrises at sea, a new exotic destination every few days, and a life free from the usual responsibilities. Nothing would be better, right? Well it turns out – that’s not always the case.

Lynnelle is a solo traveller who sold her belongings to embrace life at sea, reveals in her YouTube video Exposing the Dark Side of Living on a Cruise Ship that the reality isn’t as dreamy as it seems.

Don’t worry – she still loves her unique lifestyle. But there are some important challenges that come with it, and if you were ever considering this as an option then you’ll definitely want to heed her advice…

The Noise Nightmare

One of the most interesting revelations from Lynnelle’s experience is around the noise level in cruise ship cabins.

The walls, she warns, are incredibly thin. From the sounds of chairs scraping across the pool deck to rowdy late-night entertainment or noisy neighbours, finding peace and quiet can be tough. If you’ve cruised before then you might already be aware of this.

On a week-long cruise it’s something you can usually deal with, but living on a ship? That lack of peace could be much more impactful – something you might not realise until you live it every day.

Cabins close to high-traffic areas, such as theatres or the pool, are especially prone to noise. If you’re hoping for serene quiet in your cabin, Lynnelle suggests doing thorough research to choose a quieter location.

Suggested read: 12 Things You Must ALWAYS Check On The Deck Plan Before Booking A Cruise

And don’t forget earplugs, a white noise machine, or even noise-cancelling headphones to help drown out the unwanted sounds. Still, complete silence is a rarity.

Cramped Living Spaces

Living in a cruise ship cabin can be a major adjustment, especially when it comes to space.

Imagine taking your bedroom, halving it, and then squeezing in a queen-sized bed, nightstands, and everything else you need. That’s how Lynnelle describes life in a cruise cabin.

For those who enjoy wide-open spaces or need room to spread out, cruise cabins can feel cramped. Bathrooms are even smaller, so organization is key.

Lynnelle recommends minimalist packing and creative storage solutions, but even then, expect to feel the squeeze if you’re living in a cabin long-term.

Of course, you could always book a suite, but that’ll cost you…

Repetitive Meal Options

While the food on cruise ships is generally good, Lynnelle acknowledges that it can get repetitive after a while.

Menus tend to cycle every week, and for picky eaters, options may be limited. However, the variety offered across specialty restaurants and themed dining nights can still be exciting for food lovers.

Cruisers often break up the monotony by dining onshore during port stops, sampling local cuisine, and giving themselves a break from the onboard offerings.

Unreliable WiFi

For digital nomads or those who rely on constant internet access, Lynnelle has some frustrating news: WiFi on cruise ships can be spotty.

The satellite connections can be slow or unavailable in remote areas or poor weather conditions. Streaming, uploading large files, or even casual browsing can become a challenge.

Lynnelle suggests downloading content in advance and using offline tools when possible. If you need to get work done, try to time it when the ship is docked, as the WiFi tends to be more reliable in port.

Some cruise lines are getting better, with more advanced forms of Starlink WiFi being installed, but reliability can still be an issue.

Suggested read: How to Stay Connected At Sea For Less

The Introvert’s Dilemma

Cruising is all about socialising, and that can be a challenge for introverts.

Lynnelle, who values her alone time, explains that it’s tough to get true solitude on a cruise ship. The same faces appear everywhere – at meals, in the elevators, and on deck.

If you’re someone who recharges through isolation, this lifestyle might be draining.

While some quiet zones like adults-only areas or libraries are available, they’re not always as peaceful as they seem. Social activities are abundant, from group dinners to spontaneous chats, and introverts may find it hard to escape the constant interaction.

To make it work, some introverted cruisers wake up early to take quiet walks on deck or schedule solo exploration during port days. But be prepared for social encounters wherever you go.

Extroverted? You’ll have no problem.

Seasickness Struggles

The “motion of the ocean” is something even the most seasoned travellers have to contend with. Although Lynnelle has never been seasick, she admits that rough weather or the ship’s location can make the experience more intense.

For newcomers to the cruise life, Lynnelle advises choosing a cabin in the middle of the ship and on a lower deck to minimize the effects of waves.

If seasickness is a concern, remedies like acupressure wristbands, ginger supplements, or prescription drugs can help. And don’t forget about staying hydrated and enjoying the fresh air on deck to ease the discomfort.

Suggested read: My Top Tips To Prevent Seasickness When Cruising

Healthcare on the High Seas

While having access to onboard medical services is a major perk, Lynnelle points out that the ship’s medical centre isn’t equipped to handle serious health issues.

Routine doctor visits or treatments for minor conditions might set you back a few hundred dollars, but more serious health issues could require an expensive evacuation to a land-based hospital.

If you’re someone with ongoing health concerns or need regular check-ups, living on a cruise ship can present challenges.

It’s crucial to have emergency healthcare insurance, plan for land-based check-ups (including dentist visits – don’t forget those!), and keep a well-stocked medical kit onboard.

The Price Tag

Guess what? Turns out living on a cruise ship isn’t exactly super-cheap.

Lynnelle explains that the annual cost of an inside cabin can run around $88,000, and if you opt for a balcony, the cost can easily exceed $100,000.

And that’s just for the cabin. Speciality dining, excursions, onboard activities, and souvenirs add up quickly.

For example, specialty meals can cost $50 or more, and excursions range from $100 to $300.

When you add in extras like spa treatments or photography packages, the cost of living on a cruise can become a significant financial commitment.

You’ll earn a number of bonus perks with most cruise lines, as you rise through the loyalty program rankings, but there’ll still be things you’ll need to budget for.

Suggested read: How Much It Costs To Cruise Full-Time – Revealed!

Things Can Get Emotional…

While life on a cruise ship offers adventure and new experiences, Lynnelle shares one of the more poignant aspects of the lifestyle: the fleeting nature of relationships.

Fellow travellers are typically on board for a short time, meaning friendships can feel temporary. Though she makes connections with crew members, the professional boundaries often limit deeper friendships.

Despite this, Lynnelle embraces the opportunity to meet new people from around the world and has maintained connections with a few passengers through social media.

While it can be isolating at times, she finds joy in the ever-changing community of fellow cruisers.

I love that she’s given this perspective as it’s not something you’d normally think about when planning a life on a cruise ship – and yet it is something that can be overcome.

Lynelle’s Love for Cruise

Despite all the challenges, Lynnelle wouldn’t trade her cruise life for anything. For her, the freedom from daily chores, constant travel, and ever-changing destinations make the drawbacks worth it.

She describes her lifestyle as a “soft life” and appreciates the simplicity it offers.

Every week brings new cultures, experiences, and adventures – without the hassle of packing and unpacking. And while the occasional struggle may arise, the rewards of the journey outweigh the discomforts.

If you’re considering this lifestyle, it’s wise to take a few short cruises first to see if it’s a good fit for you. If you can handle the noise, the small spaces, and the costs, you might just find your own version of paradise at sea.

Make sure you check our Lynelle’s video on the dark side of cruising, and the rest of her YouTube channel.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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