Man Quits Plumbing Job to Earn £3k a Month Traveling the World

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 22, 2024 19:30 PMNews
Share:
Sparkling cruise ship on the sunset
Sparkling cruise ship on the sunset. Source: Photo by Peter Hansen on Unsplash

Jack Nolan, a 33-year-old from Exeter, Devon, transformed his life by swapping plumbing for music on a cruise ship, leading to adventures and earnings he never dreamed of.

Dissatisfied with his "dull" job as a plumber, Jack decided to change his career path in 2016. Now a singer and guitarist on a cruise ship, he enjoys an income of £3,315 a month, free accommodation, and meals included.

Jack's job allows him to perform most evenings, leaving his days free to explore various global destinations. He has visited iconic sites like Greece's Acropolis, Rome's Colosseum, the Great Barrier Reef, and Iceland's Blue Lagoon. Jack appreciates the opportunity to travel extensively, stating, "Not many jobs will let you see so many countries and experience so much culture."

The decision to change careers came after a friend's call for a guitarist for a band. This led to their first gig on a ferry and eventually to cruise ship contracts. Jack expressed, "I was so excited. The ships went to places like the Caribbean, and I had never been."

In addition to performing, Jack conducts art auctions on board, earning an extra £20 per hour. His travels have taken him from the ancient ruins of Greece to the bustling streets of Vancouver and the beaches of Jamaica.

Life on the ship can be intense, with colleagues living in close quarters and relationships being common but potentially tense. Jack likens it to living in university halls, where people need to "let off steam and decompress."

Jack has also witnessed dramatic events at sea, including ships rescuing stranded vessels. He recounted an instance where a rumor spread about rescued individuals being pirates, highlighting the unique and sometimes chaotic nature of life at sea.

Despite the allure of his current lifestyle, Jack misses his family and friends and plans to return to land eventually. He advises those interested in a similar path to choose roles that allow for extensive travel, such as positions in entertainment or retail on the ship, to fully experience the destinations.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM
More News
Skaters enjoying the ice rink at Nottingham Winter Wonderland

Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland Brings New Travel Possibilities for Holiday Visitors

Nov 13, 2025 22:41 PM
Sunset view over Verona’s historic centre

Aalborg to Verona: A Simple Way to Reach Italy’s North Next Spring

Nov 13, 2025 22:34 PM

Poland to Introduce EU Entry/Exit System in November 2025

Nov 13, 2025 22:17 PM

SAS Strike Vote Puts Holiday Travel to Scandinavia at Risk

Nov 13, 2025 21:43 PM
Dark storm clouds gathering before severe rainfall

Storm Claudia Set to Disrupt UK Travel Plans This Weekend

Nov 13, 2025 21:26 PM
Finnair aircraft taxiing at the airport

Finnair Adds Fresh Nordic Links from Stockholm and Umeå for Summer 2026

Nov 13, 2025 20:59 PM
Railway maintenance workers repairing train tracks in northern Italy

Train Maintenance in Northern Italy May Disrupt Winter Travel Plans

Nov 12, 2025 23:37 PM
Jet2 aircraft taxiing on the runway at a UK airport

Jet2 to Open New Base at London Gatwick with 29 Holiday Routes

Nov 12, 2025 23:13 PM
Silhouette of a traveler waiting beside a night train at a European railway station

Paris–Berlin Night Train to Return, Linking Two Capitals Once Again

Nov 12, 2025 22:45 PM

Sun, Snow or City Lights: airBaltic Announces New Winter Destinations

Nov 12, 2025 22:39 PM

Heavy Rain Threatens UK Travel Plans This Weekend

Nov 12, 2025 21:56 PM
Crowd holding Italian flags during a public protest

easyJet Flight Crew in Italy to Strike on 14 November

Nov 12, 2025 09:38 AM
Modern bedroom interior in a luxury residence with warm lighting and sea view

Marriott Expands Branded Residences Across EMEA

Nov 12, 2025 01:46 AM
Ryanair aircraft preparing for boarding at the airport during sunrise

Ryanair Expansion Brings Faster, Cheaper Summer Getaways from Ireland’s West

Nov 11, 2025 21:29 PM
Passenger waiting for ScotRail train at the station

Scotland Prepares for Crowds with Expanded Rail Schedule

Nov 11, 2025 20:33 PM

From Steam to Innovation: Wales Hosts a Moving Railway Museum

Nov 11, 2025 19:44 PM

IHG Hotels & Resorts Expands to Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast with Crowne Plaza Budva

Nov 11, 2025 17:27 PM
Eurostar trains at St Pancras International station under a glass roof

New Eurostar Discounts Open the Door to Winter City Escapes

Nov 11, 2025 16:31 PM
East Midlands Railway trains at a UK station platform

Travel Made Easier: Aurora Trains to Modernize East Midlands Routes

Nov 10, 2025 23:57 PM
Passengers walking through a busy airport terminal in the United States

US Flight Delays and Cancellations Surge Amid Air Traffic Controller Shortages

Nov 10, 2025 22:53 PM
Eurowings aircraft taking off on a new European route

Brindisi–Prague Link Restores Simple, Scenic Travel Between Two Regions

Nov 10, 2025 22:36 PM
Tropical beach in Mauritius with clear water, boats, and Le Morne Brabant mountain

ITA Airways Opens Direct Route Between Mauritius and Rome

Nov 10, 2025 21:48 PM

More Trains, Lower Fares: West of England Line Reopens for Travelers

Nov 10, 2025 20:22 PM

easyJet’s 30-Hour Sale Brings New Opportunities for Budget Travel

Nov 10, 2025 19:35 PM
Lightning storm over Italian coast during night

Italy Faces Orange Thunderstorm Alert: Travel Plans May Be Disrupted

Nov 9, 2025 23:55 PM
Sonder logo sign on a city building

Fewer Apartment-Style Options for Marriott Guests After Sonder Split

Nov 9, 2025 23:39 PM