Cruise Day 4

Our final day on the Sky was great. Unlike the previous days, we weren't docked in a port. We were a few miles off shore from their private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. We got our beach stuff together and headed to the "tender platform" to board the "Tender". I had no clue what a Tender was. It is a smaller boat that large ships use to get passengers to the port when there is no port, or the port is full. In this case, there is no port. Which would mean that if there was bad weather there would be no making it to the island. Thankfully it was a beautiful and sunny day. However if you don't know if you get sea sick or not - you will find out on the Tender. You feel every wave. I didn't love the ride to the island, but the ride back was much better. 

Enjoying the sun after a refreshing swim!

Hubby enjoyed it also!

After the wave runners! They also had the kayaks - but the water was a bit too choppy for that!

Iguana hanging out near the Tender - thanking us for visiting his or her home!

The island was nice. Husband got to "swim" in the ocean for the first time! Only thing I didn't really like was until you got about 5ft in, it was very rocky. But the waves were soft and perfect for swimming or snorkeling. We laid out for a little bit and enjoyed the sun while waiting for time to go down to the wave runners! The wave runners were SO MUCH fun! We did a guided tour of the island. Our guide was excellent. He took us out a little ways where the water surprisingly was about 4ft deep and we got to touch a Cushin Star Fish - And a few of the guys got off and walked around. Side Note - BUY A WATERPROOF CAMERA!!! On excursions like this, you will wish you had a camera with you. Also if you ever decide to ride a wave runner - wear sunglasses or goggles! Salt water is not nice to the eyes!

Our guide also told us about the island next to us - apparently years ago it used to be used by drug dealers and runners as a transit point. A few of them had built million dollar homes on the island and everything. They were living the good life until the U.S D.E.A shut down the operation and the little airport on the island. How did they shut down the airport? They basically destroyed the runway. The guy didn't know who owned the island but he said as far as he knows, no one lives there now. And if they do they are doing it quietly. He also told us that the island employees live on another island nearby and approx 1,000 people live on it. I can hardly imagine living in a place that small. 

After that excursion, we headed back to the ship for our last dinner with the family. By this time, we were the only "young people" with the family. We really enjoyed the time with his aunts and uncles. They are amazing. Only one thing left to do dance and pack! Since we were spending the weekend in Miami and we only had carry on sized bags, we opted not to have our luggage delivered to the port. Instead we slept in a little (had to leave the room by 9) and had a leisurely breakfast in the dining room. It didn't take long to get off the boat and clear customs. Less than an hour. By the time we finished breakfast, most of the people were already off the ship. For this reason I suggest either spending extra time in Miami, or taking an evening flight home if you can. It's really nice not to feel rushed to get to the airport. We chose to extend our vacation a couple of days. We got off the boat and grabbed a taxi to the South Beach area of MIAMI!