Woman Who Lives on Cruise Ships Reveals the ONE Thing She Finds Absolutely Gross

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.

Cruise influencer who lives at sea 6 months a year — ^{Credit: dutchworld_americangirl/tiktok}

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.

@dutchworld_americangirl I will be back on ship on July 2, but May 22 I will be heading to Alaska. We travel full-time and I film every single day What I can and cannot do living on a cruise ship I filmed this video a couple years ago #livingonacruiseship ♬ original sound – I LIVE on a SHIP

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.

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.

@dutchworld_americangirl January through March, we will be in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Hawaii AND YOU’RE COMING WITH US @Holland America Line ♬ Traveling – Melodion

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.

@dutchworld_americangirl Six things that annoy me about cruise ship passengers, whether it be hiding ducks or what you wear on a cruise ship or the weather or what cruise line you’re sailing or the currency conversion. We’re gonna talk about it. #6things #sixthings #annoying #cruiseship #weather #hidingducks #cruisepay #pay #wages #cruiseline @carnival @Princess Cruises @Virgin Voyages @Celebrity Cruises @Holland America Line @Royal Caribbean @Norwegian Cruise Line ♬ Peer Gynt Suite, Morning mood – AllMusicGallery

“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.

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.

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.

An automated hand washing station on a Costa cruise ship, featuring motion-activated soap dispensers and sinks, encourages hygiene with a convenient and contactless method, set against a backdrop of warm wood paneling.

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.