Honolulu: Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz

The main event here is dinner served at sea: Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef arrive as the signature courses while Oahu’s southern coast slips past the windows. Add live jazz, Waikiki lights, and a private table, and you have a polished evening rather than a simple boat ride.

I like the five-course meal, which gives the night a proper dinner rhythm, and the included welcome drink, champagne toast, and two super premium beverages. Friday is especially appealing because the cruise stays out for an extra hour to view Waikiki’s aerial fireworks. The main consideration is the $236 price, which makes sense for a special occasion but may feel steep if you mainly want a sunset view.

Key points to know before booking

• Maine lobster and tenderloin are served as the main courses, making this a full dinner rather than a light cruise meal.
• Live jazz plays during the cruise, with space to dance in the Art Deco Super Nova Room and on the private lanai.
• Friday departures last three hours, giving you time to watch Waikiki’s aerial fireworks.
• Check in at 4:45 PM at Pier 8, with departure from Aloha Tower Marketplace at 5:30 PM.
• The $236 price includes drinks and dinner, but hotel transportation is not included unless you select an optional pickup.
• Short pants are discouraged, so casual resort evening wear is the safer choice.

Setting sail from Aloha Tower at 5:30 PM

Your evening begins aboard the Star of Honolulu at Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8. Check in from 4:45 PM, then give yourself time to find the ship, settle in, and enjoy the harbor before departure.

The cruise leaves at 5:30 PM. That schedule matters because the best light changes quickly in Honolulu. You begin with the late-afternoon coast, then move toward sunset colors and the first lights of Waikiki.

The ship serves a Hawaiian Bellini welcome drink, listed as non-alcoholic, before you set off. A champagne toast is also included with dinner, along with two super premium beverages of your choice. If you prefer a non-alcoholic start, you can enjoy the Bellini without using up one of the included premium drinks.

Hotel pickup is optional, not automatic. Selected pickup points include Prince Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort, Sheraton Waikiki, Alohilani Resort, Romer Waikiki, Ross Dress for Less on Seaside Avenue, and Waikiki Marriott. Pickup times are around 4:20 to 4:40 PM, depending on the hotel.

If you are staying elsewhere, plan your own way to Aloha Tower. This is worth noting because the cruise itself is organized, but the first and last part of your evening is up to you.

The route past Ala Moana, Waikiki, and Diamond Head

The cruise follows Oahu’s southern coast, passing Ala Moana, Waikiki, and Diamond Head. These are sightseeing points rather than long stops, so you stay aboard and watch the views change from the water.

Ala Moana gives you an early look at Honolulu’s shoreline and harbor area. Waikiki then becomes the visual focus as the coast begins to glow. From the water, the line of hotels and beach lights gives the evening a different feel from a walk along Kalakaua Avenue.

Diamond Head is the scenic high point of the route, especially near sunset. The famous volcanic crater creates a strong silhouette as daylight fades. You will not hike or disembark here, so think of it as a moving viewpoint, not a separate excursion.

I like this route because it keeps the evening simple. You are not rushing between stops or checking a watch for the next activity. The views arrive while you eat, listen to music, and talk at your table.

The tradeoff is that the cruise focuses on the southern coast. You will not see every part of Oahu, and the sightseeing is best for someone who wants a relaxed coastal view rather than a detailed island tour.

Five courses with lobster and beef

The dinner is the center of the experience. You receive five courses of seasonally inspired cuisine, with Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef as the signature main courses. These are served tableside, which gives the meal a more formal feel than a buffet or casual boat dinner.

A five-course format also stretches the evening in a useful way. Instead of eating quickly before the entertainment begins, you have time to enjoy the meal between changes in scenery and music. The dinner helps the cruise feel like a celebration.

The supplied details do not provide a full menu, so you should not book expecting a particular starter, dessert, or side dish beyond the stated courses. The menu is described as seasonal, which means some smaller dishes may change.

The food received the strongest praise in the available feedback, with one recent booking describing it as incredible. That matches the design of the evening: the meal is not an afterthought added to a sightseeing cruise. It is one of the main reasons to choose this sailing.

At $236 per person, food quality matters. You are paying for the dinner, private table, drinks, entertainment, and setting together. If you would happily spend that amount on a special dinner in Honolulu, the cruise adds the coast and sunset without requiring another reservation.

If your priority is simply seeing the sunset as cheaply as possible, this is not the best value. A less expensive harbor outing may suit you better. Here, the price is easier to justify for an anniversary, birthday, end-of-trip dinner, or a night when you want several parts of the evening handled at once.

Jazz, dancing, and the Art Deco Super Nova Room

Live jazz runs through the cruise. The music gives the dinner a steady evening mood without turning the whole experience into a loud party. You can stay at your table, listen from the comfortable lounge, or move toward the private lanai of the Art Deco Super Nova Room.

Dancing is part of the plan, so bring shoes and clothing that let you move comfortably. You do not need formalwear, but short pants are not recommended. Casual evening clothes are the sensible middle ground.

The private table is another useful feature. It gives you a set place for the five-course dinner and makes the cruise work well for couples or small celebrations. You can enjoy the music without giving up your dinner setting.

Keep your expectations in check. This is a large ship experience, with capacity listed at up to 999 people. Your private table does not mean the entire ship is private. The dining setup provides personal space, while the overall atmosphere remains that of a major dinner cruise.

That scale can be a plus or a minus. A large ship offers room to move between the dining area, lounge, and lanai. It also means the evening may feel less intimate than a small sailing with only a handful of people.

Why Friday is the best-value departure

Friday departures add an extra hour for Waikiki’s aerial fireworks. That changes the length from two hours to three and gives the evening a clear finale.

The fireworks are one of the strongest reasons to choose Friday if your schedule allows. You get the sunset, dinner, jazz, and Waikiki lights, then remain on the water for the show. One recent booking specifically praised the view of the Friday fireworks and called the evening a memorable way to finish an Oahu vacation.

The extra hour also improves the value of the $236 fare. You are not just adding another scenic pass. You are adding a timed event that can be difficult to enjoy from the right position on land.

Still, Friday may be more popular, and the fireworks timing is part of the schedule rather than something you control. If the fireworks are your main reason for booking, confirm the Friday option when you reserve and make sure you are at the correct pickup or meeting point.

Timing, clothing, and practical details

The fixed timing deserves attention. Check in from 4:45 PM, depart at 5:30 PM, and expect the regular cruise to last about two hours. The Friday option lasts three hours.

Arrive early rather than cutting it close. A late arrival could mean missing check-in or the beginning of the cruise, and the ship is not a flexible restaurant where you can simply arrive whenever you like.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. Comfortable clothes are recommended, but avoid short pants because they are not advised by the operator. Smoking and pets are not allowed, although service animals are permitted.

The ship is listed as stroller accessible, and its surfaces are described as wheelchair accessible. At the same time, the activity information says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. That is an important inconsistency. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking rather than relying on the general accessibility note. Special requests should be confirmed by phone 72 hours ahead.

Most people can take part, but the cruise is not suitable for children under three or for anyone prone to seasickness. Even on calm water, a dinner cruise can feel uncomfortable if you are sensitive to motion. If that describes you, consider sitting in a stable interior area and speak with the provider before committing.

English is the listed language. No specific guide names are provided, and the main service comes from the ship’s dining and entertainment team rather than a single sightseeing guide.

Is the $236 fare worth it?

The fare is high, but it includes more than transportation and a view. You receive:

• A two-hour sunset cruise, or three hours on Friday
• A five-course dinner
• Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef
• A champagne toast
• A Hawaiian Bellini welcome drink
• Two super premium beverages
• Live jazz entertainment
• A private table

That bundle makes the cruise a reasonable splurge for a special night. You would otherwise need to arrange a high-end dinner, find a sunset viewpoint, and plan separate entertainment. The cruise puts all three into one reservation.

The value is less convincing if you do not drink, dislike formal dinner pacing, or mainly want quiet time outdoors. The included beverages are part of the fare, and the meal takes up most of the evening. You are paying for a complete dinner event, not a quick look at the coast.

I would also compare the fare with your accommodation and other Oahu plans. If you already have a costly luau, fine-dining reservation, and several paid shows booked, this may feel repetitive. If you want one polished final evening, it can replace several smaller plans.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Confirmation is normally sent at booking, though reservations made within five days of travel may be confirmed within 48 hours, subject to availability. Those terms are useful when your schedule is still shifting, but special requests need 72 hours of notice.

Who should book the Nova Five Star cruise?

I would choose this cruise for a couple, a family group with older children, or anyone marking a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or final night on Oahu. It also suits you if you like having dinner, music, drinks, and sightseeing built into one smooth plan.

Friday is the obvious choice for the strongest version of the evening. The fireworks add a memorable ending, and the longer sailing gives you more time to enjoy the ship.

I would skip it if you are watching every dollar, suffer badly from seasickness, need a very quiet meal, or want a small sailing with an intimate crew. I would also avoid booking without checking first if you use a wheelchair, because the accessibility details are not fully consistent.

Should you book this Honolulu dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a celebratory evening with lobster, tenderloin, jazz, sunset views, and Waikiki fireworks in one package. The meal and friendly service are the strongest points, and the Friday sailing offers the clearest value.

Skip it if a $236 dinner feels too high or if the cruise format does not appeal to you. This is not the most casual way to see the coast, but it is a well-defined special occasion experience. For the right night, especially a Friday near the end of your trip, it can be a memorable way to close your time on Oahu.

FAQ

Where does the dinner cruise depart from?

The Star of Honolulu departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8 in Honolulu.

What time should I check in?

Check-in begins at 4:45 PM onboard the Star of Honolulu. The cruise departs at 5:30 PM.

How long does the cruise last?

The regular sunset cruise lasts two hours. Friday departures last three hours because they include time to view the Waikiki aerial fireworks.

What food is included?

The fare includes a five-course dinner featuring Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef. The menu is seasonally inspired.

What drinks are included?

You receive a non-alcoholic Hawaiian Bellini welcome drink, a champagne toast, and two super premium beverages of your choice.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional and is available from selected Waikiki and Honolulu hotels, including Prince Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Waikiki, Alohilani Resort, Romer Waikiki, Ross Dress for Less, and Waikiki Marriott.

What should I wear?

The dress code is casual, but short pants are not recommended. Comfortable evening clothing is the practical choice.

Can children and wheelchair users join?

Children under three are not suitable for this activity. The ship is described as having accessible surfaces, but the activity is also marked as unsuitable for wheelchair users, so you should contact the provider before booking if you use a wheelchair.