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
airBaltic Airbus A220 aircraft climbing after departure

airBaltic Pauses Dubai Flights Until Late March

Mar 12, 2026 22:36 PM
Rail maintenance work on the West Coast Main Line

Easter Rail Works to Close Key West Coast Routes for Six Days

Mar 12, 2026 22:27 PM

Lufthansa Keeps Majority of Flights During Pilot Strike

Mar 12, 2026 00:42 AM

Ryanair Expands Regional Germany Network for Summer 2026

Mar 12, 2026 00:34 AM
Hilton mobile app displayed on smartphone screen

Hilton Tests AI Trip Planner on Its Booking Website

Mar 11, 2026 23:18 PM
Montréal skyline viewed from Mount Royal overlooking downtown

Montréal Rental Limits Could Leave Visitors Short of Beds in 2026

Mar 11, 2026 23:01 PM
Cologne Cathedral Gothic façade with twin spires viewed from below

Cologne Cathedral to Introduce Tourist Entry Fee

Mar 11, 2026 22:55 PM
Santa Claus portrait with surprised expression on red background

LaplandUK Christmas Experience Tickets Go on Sale This March

Mar 11, 2026 22:49 PM
Geothermal springs and steam vents in Icelandic highlands

Iceland’s Geothermal Bathing Tradition Nominated for UNESCO Heritage List

Mar 11, 2026 22:33 PM

American Airlines Plans Larger Admirals Club Lounge in Austin

Mar 11, 2026 05:36 AM

Middle East Tensions Begin to Shift Global Travel Plans

Mar 11, 2026 05:27 AM
Canoe on a calm forest lake in Finland

What Makes Finland Feel Good to Live In

Mar 11, 2026 00:52 AM
Lufthansa aircraft taxiing at an airport

Lufthansa Group Adds Extra Long-Haul Flights as Demand Jumps

Mar 11, 2026 00:04 AM
Philippine Airlines aircraft flying under cloudy sky

Philippine Airlines Extends Middle East Flight Cancellations Into Mid-March

Mar 10, 2026 23:58 PM
Tornado funnel cloud over open farmland

Loganair Offers Free Rebooking as Weather Warning Hits Scottish Islands

Mar 10, 2026 23:41 PM

United Airlines Warns: Loud Phone Audio Could Lead To Flight Ban

Mar 10, 2026 23:35 PM

Edinburgh Gains Daily New York Flight For Summer

Mar 9, 2026 23:39 PM
Kyrenia harbour with boats and waterfront buildings in northern Cyprus

Cyprus Holidays Dip After Drone Incident

Mar 9, 2026 23:23 PM
Woman standing near a “No Access” sign by the sea

Places Around the World Where Women Still Face Entry Bans

Mar 9, 2026 23:16 PM
White buildings and blue-domed church overlooking Santorini caldera

Island-Hopping Trips Gain Momentum Across Europe

Mar 9, 2026 23:07 PM
Airbnb listings displayed on a laptop screen during an online accommodation search

AI Travel Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot

Mar 9, 2026 22:52 PM
China Eastern widebody aircraft landing on airport runway

China Eastern Brings Direct Shanghai Flights Back to Stockholm

Mar 9, 2026 22:44 PM

EU Border Control Goes Digital With New Entry/Exit System

Mar 8, 2026 15:28 PM

SAS Returns to Riga With Daily Copenhagen Flights

Mar 8, 2026 13:01 PM
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque reflected in lagoon in Brunei

Brunei–London Flights Go Direct as Dubai Stop Paused

Mar 8, 2026 12:55 PM
airBaltic Airbus A220 aircraft on snowy runway

airBaltic Schedules Third Dubai Repatriation Flight to Riga

Mar 7, 2026 03:39 AM