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
Wat Arun temple in Bangkok

LOT Adds Bangkok, Hanoi and Three European Routes

Sep 25, 2026 17:01 PM
Qantas aircraft taking off

Qantas to Fly Sydney–New York Non-Stop in 2028

Sep 25, 2026 16:49 PM

Passport Foil Hack Goes Viral - but Does It Work?

Sep 24, 2026 18:56 PM

BER Gets Its First Direct Flight to Florence

Sep 23, 2026 22:03 PM
Alfa Romeo driving on the Amalfi Coast

Rome to Amalfi by Alfa Romeo: New Three-Day Tour Launches

Sep 23, 2026 21:58 PM
Aircraft parked outside an airport hangar

Salzburg Lines Up Rome, Canaries and Egypt for Winter

Sep 23, 2026 21:45 PM
Wizz Air aircraft landing at an airport

Berlin Gets New Year-Round Sofia Flights With Wizz Air

Sep 23, 2026 21:32 PM
Electrified railway tracks and signalling equipment

October Rail Works to Hit Cambridge and Stansted Routes

Sep 23, 2026 21:27 PM
Turkish flag beside a mosque in Istanbul

Turkey Travel Advice Updated Over Social Media Posts

Sep 23, 2026 21:14 PM

EES Error Sends British Tourist Home - How to Check Your Record Before Travel

Sep 22, 2026 15:01 PM

Corendon Cuts Antalya Flights from Three UK Airports in 2027

Sep 22, 2026 14:59 PM
Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa at sunset

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Travel Advice Unchanged After Houthi Strikes

Sep 22, 2026 14:46 PM
Passengers beside a commuter train at a UK station

Cancelled Train? New Rule Lets You Switch Operators for Free

Sep 22, 2026 14:33 PM
Stay safe message painted on pavement

Foreign Office ‘Do Not Travel’ Warnings: Where They Apply Now

Sep 21, 2026 20:58 PM
TransPennine Express and Northern trains at Liverpool Lime Street

Liverpool Lime Street to Close for One Day in November

Sep 20, 2026 23:25 PM

Oasis Tour Sends Travel Searches Soaring Before Tickets Go on Sale

Sep 20, 2026 21:22 PM

Oktoberfest 2026 Opens in Munich - Prices, Tents and Travel Tips

Sep 20, 2026 21:17 PM
Ryanair aircraft taking off

Bremen Reconnects With Italy This Winter

Sep 20, 2026 21:04 PM
Passengers waiting inside an airport terminal

Drone Sighting Shuts Luxembourg Airport, Diverts 19 Flights

Sep 20, 2026 20:51 PM
Passenger waiting in an airport terminal

Charleroi Night Strikes Put Flights at Risk Until October

Sep 19, 2026 16:39 PM
Visitors holding pumpkins at a pumpkin patch

Europe’s Largest Pumpkin Festival Opens in Sussex

Sep 18, 2026 19:36 PM
Ryanair aircraft approaching an airport

Ryanair Adds More Winter Options From Wrocław

Sep 18, 2026 19:23 PM

Manchester Gets a New Non-Stop Riyadh Link

Sep 18, 2026 19:17 PM

British Airways Delays Abu Dhabi Return Again

Sep 18, 2026 19:04 PM
Glasgow Airport Express buses outside terminal

Glasgow Airport Express Fare Drops to £2

Sep 17, 2026 02:41 AM
Wizz Air Airbus aircraft on the ground

Wizz Air Adds New Malmö–Pristina Route for Winter

Sep 17, 2026 02:38 AM