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

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

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Large Buddha statue overlooking Sri Lanka’s green coastline

Sri Lanka Makes Tourist ETA Free for 40 Countries

May 27, 2026 00:58 AM
Design rendering of a minimalist hotel bedroom

Braga Gets a New Reason to Stay Longer

May 27, 2026 00:45 AM

Stuttgart Lands a Dubrovnik Summer Link

May 27, 2026 00:32 AM

Ryanair Adds More Winter Routes at Bratislava

May 27, 2026 00:29 AM
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral under a blue sky

Santiago Airport Reopens After Month-Long Closure

May 27, 2026 00:16 AM
easyJet aircraft parked at an airport gate

easyJet Faces Italy Baggage Pricing Probe

May 26, 2026 23:53 PM
Crowd holding Italian flags during a public protest

Italy Flight Strike Could Disrupt 29 May Trips

May 26, 2026 23:47 PM
LOT Polish Airlines crew holding a Warsaw to Porto first flight sign

LOT Takes Warsaw Travellers to Porto

May 26, 2026 23:34 PM
Healthcare worker in protective equipment handling a test sample

US Ebola Rules Change Entry Plans

May 25, 2026 23:31 PM

France’s Palace Hotels Face a Shake-Up

May 25, 2026 23:28 PM

Lumo Brings Low-Cost Trains to Stirling

May 25, 2026 23:15 PM
Singapore Airlines aircraft flying in grey sky

Singapore Adds More Amsterdam Flights

May 25, 2026 23:02 PM
Vietjet aircraft taking off at an airport

Hanoi–Prague Flights Go on Sale

May 25, 2026 22:49 PM
Toronto skyline with the CN Tower by the waterfront

Cardiff Gets Its Canada Flight Back

May 24, 2026 20:56 PM
White buildings beside clear blue water on Paros

Klagenfurt Opens Its Greek Island Season

May 24, 2026 20:43 PM

London Rooftop Playground Returns for Summer

May 24, 2026 20:37 PM

Vienna’s Wine Train Shows Another Side of the City

May 23, 2026 22:04 PM
Jet2 team holding new route signs beside an aircraft

Newcastle Gets Three New Summer Escapes

May 23, 2026 21:51 PM
Large crowd gathered in central Lisbon with flags

Portugal Strike Could Hit Summer Trips

May 23, 2026 21:48 PM
American Airlines crew taking a selfie beside a Boeing aircraft

Budapest Gets Its Philadelphia Flight Back

May 23, 2026 21:35 PM
Ljubljana Airport screen showing a Trade Air flight to Santorini and Heraklion

Ljubljana Starts Its Summer Charter Rush

May 23, 2026 21:22 PM
Seating area inside Air India’s Maharaja Lounge

Air India Opens New Lounge in San Francisco

May 23, 2026 21:19 PM

Cyprus Gets a Smoother Route via Dubai

May 23, 2026 21:06 PM

Airbnb Wants More of Your Holiday Bookin

May 23, 2026 07:03 AM
People on a sandy beach below rocky cliffs in Cornwall

Brits Turn to UK Breaks This Summer

May 23, 2026 06:57 AM
Exterior of Moxy Budapest Downtown on Kazinczy Street

Moxy Lands in Budapest’s Nightlife Quarter

May 23, 2026 06:44 AM