Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Day 8

I can't believe this is our last day on the ship! I feel like we just started this adventure and tomorrow we will be flying home!
Today Abe and I had two different last day wishes. I wanted breakfast in the dining hall, so I got up early to work out and then have my breakfast in the dining room. After I was done eating and chatting with the other guests I made my way to the deck to read. I found a shady part to read until I knew Abe would be showing up and then I went and found two chairs together. Sure enough he showed up about 30 minutes later to lounge with me. He said sleeping in was wonderful!
It was hot today so we were in and out of the pool and then back to our lounge chairs a lot. I actually read my book today but didn't finish. After some more lounging Abe and I went and grabbed our separate lunches (I loved the cafe's green olive sandwiches!) and met back on the deck. For more relaxing. Our main goal was to relax and relax some more.
The captain and a few head crew members had an informal question/answer presentation and Abe went to that. He thoroughly enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of the ship: what is done with waste/garbage, how rough of seas the ship can handle, fuel, engine power, etc. Again, I relaxed and read!
After a good amount of relaxation we went over to the Flow Rider to watch the "Best Of" competition and the staff performance. Both were highly entertaining and enjoyable!
Almost every night on our way to dinner we would stop and chat with Larissa (the lady that kept our stateroom so nice) and tonight was no exception. I planned in advance to give her a thank you note with a little more tip inside. She always made sure we were well taken care of and our needs were met before we even knew we had needs! We did the same with our two waiters. I actually preferred the supporting waiter over our main waiter, but Abe always enjoyed the suggested items by our main waiter.
Another amazing meal, a little bit of chatting with our table-neighbors, and we were off to the last show.
One more round of shuffle board, and our final evening stroll around deck 4/5 was fabulous. Every night I have loved that sensation of walking out onto the bow, breathing the warm ocean air, smelling the saltiness in the humid air, and looking at the starry skies. Some nights have been ridiculously windy. Other nights it has been extremely peaceful and calm as we traveled with the breeze. Either way it was always fantastic! God created one beautiful and amazing Earth! I feel so privileged to have seen a few small pieces of it.
This vacation with Abe has been amazing! I had reservations about a cruise and, at some points, major anxiety about leaving our kids for such a long time (for my kids and parent's sake). I have loved learning about other people, seeing new things, the beauty of things built long ago, the amazing things nature has to offer, and so much more. Heavenly Father has given us an amazing place to live with so many things waiting to be discovered. I feel like I have been blessed beyond my own deserving to see a few of these things with Abe at my side.
It has been worth every penny and all the time spent planning it. Abe and I can't wait to go again and to bring our kids along with us!