Cruise For Cash

Hyattsville Man Arrives Just in Time

Barnabas Were - Cruise for Cash

With little time to spare, Barnabas Were claims Cruise For Cash prize.

Wins cruise vacation for two playing Cruise for Cash scratch-off

Barnabas Were visited Lottery Headquarters today to claim a prize that officials worried had been lost or accidentally thrown away by a player.  Mr. Were’s arrival and the Caribbean cruise he claimed caught them by surprise because the Cruise for Cash ticket he presented had only about thirty hours of “life” left.

The Lottery’s Cruise for Cash game, a ticket offering cash prizes up to $50,000 and luxury Caribbean cruises, debuted in January of last year – about 18 months ago – and proved to be very successful.  The ticket’s final claim date is this Sunday, June 17th.  The Lottery’s claim center is closed Saturday and Sunday, so 4:30 p.m. tomorrow would have been the last chance to claim any prize.

SEE ALSO: More Cruise for Cash Winners

“I scratched this ticket late last year,” Barnabas told Lottery officials.  “I had no one to bring with me, so I set it aside until I did.”  He mentioned the win to a friend earlier this week and was concerned to hear that he might have waited too long and the ticket might no longer be good.  Luckily, he arrived in time.

The native of Kenya has never been on a cruise and is excited about his prize.  “I can’t believe that I cut it so close.  I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer.”  Mr. Were’s Lottery luck found him at the Queen Town Shell station, 5398 Queen’s Chapel Road in Hyattsville.

Former Army Globe-trotter to Chart Course for Caribbean

Prize-winning scratch-off found after year in car’s glove compartment

An Anne Arundel County medical technician was taking advantage of this week’s unseasonably warm weather. He was cleaning out his car when he discovered something that he had not seen in over a year – a Cruise for Cash scratch-off. When the Severn resident originally placed the ticket in the compartment he thought it had won only a small prize. As he inspected the ticket further, he discovered that he had actually won a seven-night cruise vacation for two.

In more than 20 years serving in the Army, he has seen his share of foreign locales, but he and his wife haven’t travelled much lately. “She’s been working hard towards becoming a paralegal and we’ve got three kids in college,” he said. “The kids are our priority and it became difficult to schedule. We just put travelling on the back-burner.” The winning Cruise for Cash ticket was purchased at the 7-11 convenience store located at 600 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park.

Partnering with Royal Caribbean International, the Lottery launched Cruise for Cash in January 2011. The $5 scratch-off is the first of its kind for the Maryland Lottery and featured seven $50,000 instant top prizes and 31 instant seven-night cruise vacations for two. The ticket is 98% sold out and there are five instant seven-night cruises and one $50,000 top prize remaining to be won.

Hard-to-Find Scratch-Off Ticket Delivers $50,000 to Annapolis Man [VIDEO]

 

Cruise for Cash Scratch-off Nearly Sold Out

Keith Lasik stopped by a neighborhood Lottery retailer on Sunday to pick up a few scratch-off tickets, something he does regularly.  Walking in, the Annapolis plumber immediately noticed that the store, the Quick Mart at 900 West Street in Annapolis, had several Cruise for Cash scratch-offs.  “I saw a Lottery mention on TV that the game had some big prizes left even though it was almost sold out,” said Keith.

In fact, officials report that it’s very difficult to even find Cruise for Cash tickets in stores now that the game is 98% sold.  Keith played the tickets outside in his van – no luck.  “I had the van in reverse, about to leave, when something told me to get two more.”  Keith listened to his intuition and wouldn’t you know it, one of those extra tickets was good for $50,000.

A check with the store owner to confirm, a call to his wife with the news and a visit this morning to the claim center brings the story to a close.  Keith and his wife will pay bills and assist their family with the winnings.  Cruise for Cash still has one $50,000 instant winner out there as well as five luxury Caribbean cruises for two available.

Keith Lasik from Annapolis happily posed for a picture while
claiming his $50K Cruise for Cash top prize.

Seven-Night Cruise Is Pleasant Surprise for New Carrollton Man

Wins cruise vacation for two playing Cruise for Cash scratch-off

The New Carrollton man was looking for cash, but to his surprise he won a seven-night cruise for two playing the Cruise for Cash scratch-off ticket. “I’m excited,” the winner said with a smile.

“I’ve been playing this ticket since it came out,” he said. “The ticket looks so nice, I’ve just continued to play.” The self-employed contractor was dropping off his employee at the Riverdale BP gas station after work and decided to purchase one Cruise for Cash scratch-off.

Later, at home, he scratched the ticket and discovered his prize, but he still hasn’t told a soul about winning the cruise. The 52-year-old intends to surprise his wife with the trip and will buy an extra ticket for his daughter. “They’ve been trying to plan a trip since my daughter’s graduation a few months ago to no avail,” said the winner.

The winning Cruise for Cash ticket was purchased at the Riverdale BP, located at 5500 Kenilworth Ave. in Riverdale.

Couple Going Cruising in 2012

White Family - Cruise for Cash

Anthony and Betty White collect their cruise vacation package.

Anthony White and his wife, Betty, have never been on a cruise, let alone a vacation, since their honeymoon nearly 23 years ago. Soon they will break that dry streak and take their inaugural voyage as the latest cruise winners on the Cruise for Cash scratch-off. The happy couple intends to set sail on their seven-night cruise vacation for two in January of 2012 to celebrate Betty’s birthday.

Anthony purchased the ticket on May 3rd of this year, but work obligations delayed their trip to Lottery Headquarters. “We couldn’t find the time to take off work,” said the father-of-three.  Betty hid the ticket in a DVD movie case until they were ready to come to Lottery Headquarters to claim their prize.

An avid Lottery fan, Anthony plays everyday at a local Royals Farms store on Joppa Road. On the day he purchased his winning Cruise for Cash ticket, the 50-year-old  said he had a “strange vibe.” Upon scratching it and realizing that he’d won a cruise he was “shocked. I called my wife and she didn’t believe me at first.”  Once convinced, they began planning their long-overdue vacation. The winning ticket was purchased at Royal Farms #052, located at 2410 E. Joppa Rd. in Baltimore.

Laurel Woman Excited to Set Sail

Wins Seven-Night Cruise Vacation for Two on Cruise for Cash Scratch-off

It’s been six months since Alana Frett discovered her Cruise for Cash win, but that didn’t diminish her excitement when she arrived at Lottery Headquarters. The elated 37-year-old received her Cruise for Cash ticket from her mom back in March shortly after having returned from a trip to St. Thomas.

“I wasn’t sure I’d won,” said Alana. “I showed it to my mother and she verified it beyond a doubt. Now I get to go on another vacation. This is the best.” Alana, who recently started her own accounting business, told Lottery officials, “With my new business venture, anything I don’t have to pay for right now is a big bonus.”

Since discovering her good fortune nearly six months ago, Alana kept the winning ticket her desk lock box and checked on it each week. The happy cruise winner is still uncertain about who will accompany her on her trip. “I’d take my mom, but she isn’t a big boat person,” said Alana with a chuckle.

The winning ticket was purchased at Hyattsville Convenience Store, located at 2230 University Blvd. E. in Hyattsville.

Temple Hills Woman Wins Second-Chance Cruise

Betty smiles for the camera as she collects her nine-night cruise vacatio package.

This morning, second-chance winner Betty Burnett came to Lottery Headquarters to claim her Cruise for Cash nine-night cruise vacation. Burnett was determined to win a cruise, as she played the ticket over 80 times. After finding out at work, she was in total shock. “After I received the phone call, I got off the phone and let out a huge scream. My co-workers thought something was wrong,” she said with a laugh. The Prince George’s County public school secretary, who has been on a cruise to South America in the past, plans to take her son along with her.

Laurel Woman Cruises To a Win

Laurel couple plans second honeymoon with Cruise for Cash win

When a 54-year-old Laurel woman asked her local retailer about the Maryland Lottery’s Cruise for Cash scratch-off, she had no idea that she and her husband would soon be planning an exciting trip to the Caribbean. “I heard about the ticket on television and wanted details.  Fortunately for me, the clerk thought I was asking to buy it so he ripped it from the stack,” the winner said. “and I decided to purchase it.”

The woman said she started to scratch the ticket during dinner that same evening. “When I saw the cruise wheel symbol, I thought I was mistaken,” she said.  “Needless to say, dinner got a little cold with all the excitement going on!”

Recently retired from the Montgomery County School system, the woman said she “just got around” to redeeming the winning ticket. “I originally purchased it in January.”

The winner told Lottery officials that she and her husband love cruises and have been on four throughout their 23-year marriage.  The excited pair is planning the trip, which they think will take place next spring, as a second honeymoon.  The winning ticket was purchased the Roundabout Fine Wine and Spirits on Ice Crystal Drive in Laurel.

Columbia Woman Wins Second-Chance Nine-Night Cruise Vacation

Olga Perez - Cruise for Cash

Olga Perez, from Columbia, claims her nine-night cruise vacation.

First vacation in years for retiree

As Olga Perez checked her e-mail this afternoon, she was never expecting to see “Maryland State Lottery” in her inbox. After she read the message, requesting that she call Lottery Headquarters, Perez knew that she had won. “I have not been on a vacation in over 25 years,” Perez explained. “I spent my life raising my two daughters, and now that they are grown. I am very excited to be able to enjoy a nice vacation.”

Perez won a nine-night cruise vacation for two departing out of Baltimore to a destination in the Caribbean of her choice. When asked who she will bring with her, she explained that one of her daughters has never been on a cruise, so she would like to treat her. The grandmother-of-three recently retired after working for the IRS. “This win came at the perfect time. Now that I am retired I can kick back and relax.” Perez plans to book her cruise vacation for next summer.

Partnering with Royal Caribbean International, the Maryland Lottery launched Cruise for Cash on January 10, 2011. Although this was the final second-chance drawing, the $5 scratch-off still has two $50,000 instant top prizes, as well as 10 instant seven-night cruise vacations.

Cruise for Cash Win Just What the Doctor Ordered for Registered Nurse

A reserved 42-year-old man arrived at Maryland Lottery Headquarters yesterday, accompanied by his 23-year-old son, to claim his seven-night cruise vacation for two. The recent win from the Cruise for Cash scratch-off hadn’t quite sunk in yet. As he related his story to Lottery officials, his calm demeanor turned to smiles and laughter.

A big fan of scratch-off games, the Washington, D.C. resident said, “It’s a family thing. My son, cousin, and I all buy scratch-offs every month when we have a few extra dollars. Then the three of us get together, and we scratch them.”

Although he admits he’s always been in search of “big money” the cruise win came as a terrific surprise. “Don’t get me wrong, the cruise is very nice,” he said with a chuckle.

The excited winner has not yet decided who will set sail with him.

The winning ticket was purchased at Sunoco, located at 750 East 25th St. in Baltimore.