From Drab Desk to Global Odyssey: Escaping the 9-to-5 for a Life Afloat In the mundane realm of the 9-to-5 grind, a flicker of wanderlust ignited within me. The prospect of exchanging fluorescent lights and endless meetings for azure skies and sun-kissed shores proved irresistible. With a leap of faith, I bid farewell to my desk-bound existence and embarked on a transformative journey. Today, as a crew member aboard a majestic cruise ship, I navigate the world’s oceans, earning a handsome salary of £3,000 per month while immersing myself in a kaleidoscope of cultures and breathtaking destinations. My daily routine onboard is a far cry from the monotonous office life. The ship becomes my floating home, where I navigate a labyrinth of hallways and bustling decks, interacting with passengers from all walks of life. I serve as a bridge between different nationalities, cultures, and languages, fostering connections and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The job is demanding, but the rewards are immeasurable. I witness breathtaking sunsets over the Mediterranean Sea, marvel at the towering icebergs of Antarctica, and explore ancient ruins in the heart of Asia. Each port of call offers a unique adventure, from the bustling cities of Tokyo to the serene beaches of the Caribbean. While others toil away in cubicles, I revel in the freedom and flexibility of my maritime existence. I set sail for months at a time, discovering hidden gems and broadening my horizons. The cruise ship becomes my sanctuary, a floating oasis where I can pursue my passions and embrace new experiences. Of course, there are occasional sacrifices. I miss the comfort of a regular schedule and the camaraderie of close-knit colleagues. But the allure of the open sea and the endless possibilities it holds far outweigh any drawbacks. For those longing to escape the ordinary and embrace an extraordinary life, I wholeheartedly recommend considering a career on a cruise ship. It’s not just a job; it’s an adventure that will forever redefine your concept of work, life, and the world around you.A man left his “boring” nine-to-five job as a plumber to work as a musician on a cruise ship, traveling to 40 countries and earning £40,000 a year.
A man left his “boring” nine-to-five job as a plumber to work as a musician on a cruise ship, traveling to 40 countries and earning £40,000 a year. Jack Nolan, 33, says being a plumber was “boring” and “unfulfilling”. He started working with cruises in 2016, earns £3,315 a month and has traveled to countries including Australia, Iceland and Canada. He revealed what it’s like to live and work on a boat. Although he has to work most evenings as a singer and guitarist, he gets the whole day off – and can explore each destination at his own leisure. And by living on a boat, he doesn’t have to pay rent, rent or bills – and all his food is included, too. Jack’s ‘bucket list’ destinations so far include visiting the Acropolis in Greece, the Colosseum in Rome, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Hobbiton in New Zealand and the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. The singer from Exeter, Devon, said: “There aren’t many courses where you can see so many countries and experience so much culture. “We also don’t pay rent or food, which is great as these are two of life’s biggest expenses. “I had finished college and worked in plumbing shops before the ships. “Plumbing doesn’t feed my soul the same way music does, and it doesn’t fulfill me. “I wanted to travel the world and by then I hadn’t traveled yet.” His father, Trevor, 67, advised him to become qualified in a trade, and in Jack’s previous life he spent three years installing bathrooms and working in a plumbing workshop. He said: “I lived for the weekend. “I also often worked on Saturdays. “I was burned out and ultimately knew I didn’t want to do that job for the rest of my life.” In 2016, Jack received a call from a friend he had previously worked with at a wedding. He was a drummer and asked Jack if he knew any guitarists for a band he was putting together. Jack said: “I told him I’d love to do it, and from there we shot a promo video and sent it to agents, and we landed our first gig on a ferry in 2016. We then found another agent who was a real cruise contract. “Then we were offered more jobs on different ships and I was so excited. The ships were going to places like the Caribbean and I had never been there before.” Jack says some cruise workers may also run their own “side businesses,” such as barbershops and barbershops. He earns an extra £20 an hour by holding his own art auctions on board the ship and playing in the band. He often spends an afternoon in one country before leaving for another around noon the next day. “I loved the ancient Acropolis in Greece and the Colosseum in Rome,” he added. “A visit to Vancouver, Jamaica, and bungee jumping from the Auckland Bridge were some other highlights. “Today we are in Palma, Mallorca – tomorrow we could be in France. Every day we wake up in a different country.” Jack says that relationships between colleagues are not forbidden, and in fact are very common. But they can cause a lot of tension among the crew – and he says working there can sometimes be like living in uni halls. He said: “Even though we are older than university students, it gives that atmosphere because we have small rooms and live next to each other. We live so close to people we don’t even know. You have to let off steam and decompress every now and then.” In addition to relationships, Jack has also seen his fair share of chaos at sea. He says ships have rules that mean they help anyone stranded at sea who needs help. He has seen “loads” of ships stranded at sea – and he said crews often bring people in trouble on deck to help them. “A boat was allowed on our ship,” he added. ‘There was a rumor that they were pirates – rumors can spread quite easily on the ship. Jack hopes to move back to land in the future as he misses family and friends, but calls his life at sea ‘addictive’ and continues to love every moment of it. “I advise anyone who wants to enjoy the journey to choose a position that allows you to travel as much as possible,” he added. “Some jobs mean you often never get to see the destinations, so if you choose something in entertainment, shopping or the casino, you can see everything.”
A former office worker has ditched their boring 9-to-5 job to earn £3,000 a month while traveling the world on a cruise ship. The 29-year-old from Essex, England, quit her job as a customer service representative in January 2023 after becoming disillusioned with her career. “I was working long hours for not a lot of money,” she said. “I didn’t have any time for myself or to do the things I wanted to do.” She decided to make a change and applied for a job as a cruise ship entertainer. She was offered the job and started working on a cruise ship in March 2023. “It’s the best decision I ever made,” she said. “I love my job and I get to see the world while I’m doing it.” As a cruise ship entertainer, she performs in shows and activities for the passengers. She also gets to travel to different countries and experience different cultures. “I’ve been to so many amazing places,” she said. “I’ve seen glaciers in Alaska, the pyramids in Egypt, and the Great Wall of China.” She earns £3,000 a month as a cruise ship entertainer, which is more than she earned in her previous job. She also gets free accommodation and food on the ship. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work on a cruise ship,” she said. “It’s changed my life for the better.”
