Ellisville Student Wins Lottery Cruise

Michael Feeler said he wasn't in a hurry to claim his prize when he realized he had a winning lottery ticket — his passage into a week-long cruise in the Caribbean.

The Ellisville resident bought the tickets weeks ago in Fenton, MO, but waited until this past weekend to confirm that he won.

“I’ve been hanging on to it,” said Feeler, 23. “I’ve been busy. I just got home, dealing with school and being a full-time parent. I was excited, but I knew it wasn’t going anywhere.”

Feeler recently returned home after a four-year enlistment in the Marine Corps, which he plans to follow with college studies focused on software engineering.

Despite his busy schedule, Feeler suggested he and his girlfriend would try to  take the cruise this fall, around Feeler's November birthday.

Regardless of when they take the trip, Feeler said he was excited.

“I read on the back of the ticket: First class airfare, they pay for my hotel the night before, $1,000 ship credit and then $500 cash. That’s pretty awesome,” he said.

The cruise package Feeler won was one of 29 in the state, which were paid along with a $75,000 grand prize as part of “Missouri Lottery’s Anniversary Cruise."

Despite not winning the grand prize, Feeler said he was grateful for the prize.

“I’m so lucky. I’m very appreciative. I don’t know how I managed to get it,” Feeler said. “I was just playing for money. Honestly, I was just playing for fun. What are the chances of that?”