Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz

The Nova Five Star cruise turns dinner into a floating evening out, with Maine lobster and USDA Prime tenderloin served at your private table as Honolulu’s southern coast slips into sunset. The Star of Honolulu gives you broad views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the ocean from a comfortable Art Deco-style setting.

I like the polished service and the way the meal arrives in steady courses without making you wait. I also like the Friday sailing, when the cruise lasts an extra hour and gives you a view of Waikiki’s weekly fireworks. The main caution is price: at $236 per person, you are paying for the setting, service, drinks, and occasion as much as for the food.

Key points at a glance

• Lobster and tenderloin arrive at your private table, making this more formal than a standard sightseeing cruise.
• Friday sailings add an hour and a fireworks view, along with the sunset.
• The music changes through the evening, from piano during dinner to singers and saxophone later.
• Upper-deck seating is worth considering if open views matter to you.
• Two premium beverages and a champagne toast are included, but extra drinks cost more.
• Clouds, rain, motion, heat, and limited jazz time can affect the evening, so keep expectations realistic.

Boarding at Aloha Tower for a sunset on the water

Your evening begins at Aloha Tower Marketplace, where check-in opens aboard the Star of Honolulu at 4:45 p.m. The ship departs at 5:30 p.m., so give yourself enough time to reach the pier, find the vessel, and get settled before departure.

The location is practical for anyone already in central Honolulu or Waikiki, though parking deserves attention. One recent booking party expected inexpensive hourly parking and instead paid $27. That cost is not part of the cruise, so add it to your evening budget if you are driving.

The Star of Honolulu is a large ship, not a small sailboat. That gives you room to move between the dining area, lounge, outdoor viewing areas, and the Art Deco Super Nova Room. It also means the evening has a more organized, event-style feel than an intimate harbor cruise.

The ship has a vintage 1960s look that some people find charming. Others may find the vessel a little dated. I would think of the setting as polished but not sleek or modern. The atmosphere is part dinner theater, part special-occasion restaurant, and part sightseeing cruise.

A private table with a five-course dinner

The meal is the heart of the Nova Five Star package. You sit at your own private table and receive a five-course dinner built around lobster and beef. The presentation is designed to feel special, with attentive service and food brought out at measured intervals.

The meal begins with a cheese and charcuterie board served at the table. Next comes a salad featuring Nova Scotia Maine lobster and beet carpaccio, along with locally grown vegetables, fennel, goat cheese pearls, and a champagne-chive vinaigrette.

The main course is USDA Prime tenderloin of beef with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The beef has received particularly strong praise, and the combination gives you a classic formal-dinner plate rather than a casual buffet meal.

Dessert includes seasonal fruit sorbet followed by the chef’s special dessert with freshly baked brioche and butter. The exact special dessert may vary. Past meals have included cheesecake, according to the supplied dining details, but you should not book expecting one fixed dessert.

I like that the menu gives you two substantial centerpieces, lobster and tenderloin, rather than asking you to choose one. The tradeoff is portion size. One person found the lobster serving smaller than expected, so this is not the place to book if you want a huge seafood feast.

Food quality can also vary with the weather and the pace of service. Many meals have arrived hot and on time, but one booking party found the mashed potatoes too processed and heavy on truffle flavor. Bread service also seemed limited at one table. Those are small details, but they matter when the dinner price is high.

What the $236 price really covers

At $236 per person, this is not a bargain dinner cruise. You are paying for a package that combines a boat ride, sunset views, private dining, a five-course menu, entertainment, a champagne toast, and two super premium beverages.

That price makes more sense for a birthday, anniversary, wedding celebration, or one big evening during a short Oahu visit. It makes less sense if you mainly want to see the sunset from the water or hear a full evening of jazz. Less expensive cruises use the same vessel, and one option has a more active show format.

The two included premium drinks help soften the cost. Additional beverages are not included, so check your bar tab before ordering more. Photos are also an extra charge. Several people felt souvenir photos should have been included at this price.

The best value comes when you use the whole package. Arrive ready to enjoy the meal, music, views, and atmosphere rather than judging the cruise only as a restaurant. If you want the cheapest way to see Diamond Head at sunset, this is the wrong choice.

Sunset views of Diamond Head and Waikiki

The ship leaves as the sun begins to drop over Oahu’s southern coast. From the water, Diamond Head and Waikiki take on a different shape. You see the hotel shoreline as one broad sweep, with the volcanic crater forming a clear marker beyond it.

The view is the strongest part of the evening for many people. You can look toward Waikiki from the dining area, step outside for fresh air, and watch the coast recede as the ship moves away from the pier.

Do not assume a perfect orange sunset. Clouds and rain can block the sun, and one cruise had to remain at the dock because heavy rain made departure unsafe. Another evening had poor sunset conditions but still offered a pleasant dinner, music, and ocean setting.

That is simply the risk of booking a sunset cruise. The meal and entertainment give you something to enjoy if the sky turns gray, but the view remains weather dependent. If the sunset is the only reason you are booking, keep that risk in mind.

Jazz, piano, singing, and the timing of the show

Live music shapes the mood, but the entertainment is not necessarily a continuous jazz concert. Piano music may accompany dinner, followed later by a singer and saxophone player. The music can feel smooth and refined, with the performers adding energy as the evening progresses.

Some evenings have featured a particularly strong singer, piano player, host, and saxophone player. The music has been described as one of the best parts of the cruise, especially when dinner, sunset, and live performance come together.

There is a catch. One booking party felt the jazz portion lasted only the final half hour, mainly during the return to port. Another person wanted more Hawaiian music, while a different dinner cruise on the same ship offered a more active show for less money.

I would book this for elegant background music with a live performance finish, not for a full-length jazz club set. If you want a lively stage show with constant action, the less expensive Star Casual option may suit you better. The Five Star package is quieter and more formal.

After dinner, you can move to the Art Deco Super Nova Room, where dancing may be available. The room adds a change of pace, especially if you do not want to sit at the table for the entire cruise.

Why Friday is the strongest booking

Friday sailings last three hours instead of two. The extra hour is used for a view of the weekly aerial fireworks show near Waikiki, which can make a major difference in value.

The timing allows you to combine three things in one evening: sunset over the southern coast, dinner with live music, and fireworks seen from the water. On a clear night, that is a strong celebration package.

The fireworks are not guaranteed to look perfect. Weather can interfere, and your exact view depends on the ship’s position and conditions. Still, Friday is the obvious choice if your schedule allows it.

For anniversaries and birthdays, I would choose Friday before any other day. The additional hour gives the cruise a clearer sense of occasion, and it helps justify the higher price.

Choosing the right deck and table

The premium experience is often connected with upper-deck seating. A number of people specifically recommended the upper deck for its views, air conditioning, and dining setting. If you care about seeing Waikiki while you eat, check exactly what seating level your booking includes.

A private table gives the evening a restaurant feel. You are not balancing a plate while walking around the ship, and you do not have to search for a seat after boarding. That matters for couples marking an anniversary or for families who want to stay together.

The ship can feel warm, especially if the air conditioning is not strong enough. One person found the interior uncomfortable, while another appreciated being on the top floor with air conditioning and easy access to outdoor views.

The vessel can also move noticeably in the water. One family recommended taking motion sickness medication as a precaution. You know your own tolerance best, but if boats usually bother you, plan ahead. A rough evening can make a long formal dinner less pleasant.

Service and the pace of the meal

Service is one of the most praised parts of the experience. Staff members are often attentive, friendly, and focused on making the evening feel important. Dinner is generally served at a steady pace, with courses arriving without long gaps.

That consistency is useful on a moving ship. The kitchen has to serve a large number of people while keeping food at a reasonable temperature. Many meals have been described as well timed, fresh, and properly cooked.

Service is not perfect at every table. One person found the waiter less attentive, with no offer of water, little explanation of the meal sequence, and no coffee offered with dessert. The same person noticed a nearby table receiving more detailed care.

The practical lesson is simple: speak up if you need something. Ask about the next course, request water, or order coffee when dessert arrives. Most of the staff appear eager to help, but a large ship can create uneven attention between tables.

Dress, families, and special occasions

The official dress code is casual, but short pants are not recommended. I would choose a neat dinner outfit that feels comfortable in warm weather. You do not need formal eveningwear, but beach clothes will feel out of place in the Five Star dining area.

This cruise fits couples especially well, but families can enjoy it too. Children have enjoyed the views, food, and music, and most people can participate. A birthday or anniversary request may be accommodated, but call the service provider at least 72 hours before departure for special requests.

The atmosphere is refined without being stiff. You can eat at your table, listen to music, step outside for photos, and move to the lounge or dance area. That variety helps the evening work for different ages.

Service animals are allowed. The activity can accommodate most participants, though you should keep the ship’s motion, warm conditions, and stairs or movement between areas in mind when deciding if it suits your group.

Check-in, timing, and the return to port

Plan to arrive before the 5:30 p.m. departure. Check-in begins at 4:45 p.m. aboard the Star of Honolulu, and the cruise returns to the same meeting point at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

The standard cruise lasts about two hours. Friday sailings last about three hours because of the fireworks viewing. That difference affects the rest of your evening, so do not schedule another fixed activity too close to the return time.

A mobile ticket is provided, and booking confirmation is normally sent at once. If you book within five days of departure, confirmation can take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That gives you some protection if weather or changing plans becomes a concern, though the policy does not remove the need to plan your evening carefully.

Who should book the Nova Five Star cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want one polished evening that combines dinner, views, drinks, and entertainment. It suits couples celebrating a milestone, families marking a special event, and anyone willing to pay more for a private table and a more formal setting.

Friday is best for a birthday or anniversary because of the fireworks. The upper deck is worth considering if the view matters to you. I would also choose this package if you want lobster and tenderloin rather than a simpler cruise menu.

I would be cautious if you are highly price sensitive, expect a large lobster portion, or want a full evening of jazz. You may also prefer another option if you dislike large ships, warm interiors, or the possibility of a rolling deck.

Should you book this dinner cruise?

Book it if the occasion matters and you want the evening to feel organized, scenic, and a little glamorous. The service, private table, meal presentation, and Friday fireworks give the Nova Five Star cruise real appeal.

Skip it if your main goal is a cheap sunset ride or a long jazz performance. At $236 per person, the value depends on using the entire package. Choose Friday, consider upper-deck seating, arrive early, and remember that weather can change the sunset. With those expectations, this can become one of the more memorable nights of an Oahu visit.

FAQ

Where does the Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz cruise depart?

It departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. The cruise also returns to this meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in begins at 4:45 p.m. aboard the Star of Honolulu. The cruise departs at 5:30 p.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The regular sunset dinner cruise lasts about two hours. Friday sailings last about three hours because they include time to view the weekly aerial fireworks show.

What food is included?

The five-course dinner includes a cheese and charcuterie board, a lobster and beet carpaccio salad, USDA Prime tenderloin with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, seasonal sorbet, and a chef’s special dessert with freshly baked brioche and butter.

Are drinks included?

The package includes a champagne toast and two super premium beverages. Additional beverages cost extra.

Is there a dress code?

The dress code is casual, but short pants are not recommended. A neat outfit suitable for dinner is the safer choice.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Confirmation is normally sent at booking, though bookings made within five days of departure may take up to 48 hours to confirm, subject to availability.