File photo of cruise ship being disinfected next to file photo of scratch-off cards
$10million lottery winner Wade Harmon says he will treat his family to a cruise as soon as the killer virus – which ravaged scores of ships – subsides (Pictures: AP/North Carolina State Lottery)

An iron worker who won a $10million lottery jackpot has vowed to spend some of it on a cruise holiday as soon as the pandemic subsides. Wade Harmon, from Kenly in North Carolina, unveiled his bold travel plan after winning the top prize on North Carolina’s Supreme Riches scratch-off ticket.

Wade claimed his prize at the North Carolina Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh on Friday, and opted for a $6million lump sum over $500,000 a year for 20 years. After taxes, he walked home with $4.25million – and brave travel plans. Wade says he, his children and their families will take to the seas as soon as cruising resumes, with some US lines planning to set sail again in early August.

The reputation of the cruising industry has been badly battered in recent months amid a number of high-profile outbreaks on cruise ships, with 40 in total hit by Covid-19. The ships’ confined spaces make them a breeding ground for the new virus, with thousands diagnosed and scores killed on multiple vessels across the world.

Thousands more passengers were confined to their cabins for weeks at a time as ports refused their vessels entry for fear of spreading the disease further. Travel plans aside, Wade says he wants to keep on working, and insists he plans on remaining ‘the same old me.’

Recalling the happy moment he realized he’d won, Wade said: ‘I went home and fired up my grill, and I said, “Well, I might as well scratch my ticket”. I looked down and I said, “Woah!”‘

‘I’m thankful, I really am. I believe the Lord saved that for me. He had a reason for me to win this ticket. He’s got plans for me.’

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