Honolulu: Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz

Honolulu’s Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise pairs a polished five-course meal with the changing colors over Oahu’s southern coast. You’ll dine on Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef, then watch Waikiki light up as live jazz fills the Art Deco Super Nova Room.

I like the private table, which makes this feel more like a special dinner than a standard sightseeing boat ride. I also like the Friday option: you get an extra hour and a clear chance to watch Waikiki’s aerial fireworks from the water. The main drawback is the price, $236 per person, so this is a celebration dinner, not a casual night out.

Key points to know before booking

• Maine lobster and prime tenderloin: The two signature entrees arrive as part of a five-course dinner served at your table.
• Sunset over Diamond Head: The boat passes Ala Moana, Waikiki, and Diamond Head while you dine.
• Live jazz and dancing: Smooth jazz continues through the evening, with room to dance on the private lanai.
• Friday lasts three hours: Friday sailings include extra time for Waikiki’s aerial fireworks.
• Drinks are part of the package: You receive a non-alcoholic Hawaiian Bellini, a champagne toast, and two super premium beverages.
• Aloha Tower departure: Check in aboard the Star of Honolulu at Pier 8 from 4:45 PM for the 5:30 PM departure.

A sunset dinner that feels like an occasion

This cruise is built around one clear idea: dinner with a moving view. Instead of sitting in a Waikiki restaurant and hoping for a window table, you spend the evening on the water, with the coast, sunset, and city lights changing around you.

The setting is the Star of Honolulu, departing from Aloha Tower Marketplace. Once aboard, you receive a Hawaiian Bellini welcome drink. It is non-alcoholic, which makes it a refreshing start rather than the main toast of the evening. The package also includes a champagne toast and two super premium beverages of your choice.

The boat then heads along Oahu’s southern coast. Your table remains the center of the evening, but you can also take in the views from the lounge and the private lanai connected with the Art Deco Super Nova Room.

I would think of this as a dinner show with sightseeing, rather than a sightseeing cruise that happens to serve food. The views matter, but the meal, jazz, and service are the main event.

Boarding at Aloha Tower and setting sail at 5:30 PM

Plan to arrive at Pier 8 well before departure. Check-in begins from 4:45 PM aboard the Star of Honolulu, and the cruise leaves at 5:30 PM. That gives you time to find the ship, check in, and get settled without turning the start of the evening into a race.

Aloha Tower Marketplace is a practical departure point for this kind of evening. It puts you close to Honolulu Harbor, and the boat begins the night in an area already associated with Oahu’s harborfront activity.

Hotel pickup is optional, not automatic. If you choose it, the listed meeting times are generally between 4:20 and 4:40 PM. Pickup points include the Prince Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki, Waikiki Marriott, Romer Waikiki, Ross Dress for Less on Seaside Avenue, and Alohilani Resort.

You should check the exact pickup point attached to your booking. These are specific street-side or hotel meeting spots, not a general hotel lobby service. If you are making your own way to Aloha Tower, allow extra time for Honolulu traffic and finding the correct pier.

Ala Moana and Waikiki from the water

The route passes Ala Moana and Waikiki before reaching the coastal views near Diamond Head. These are not long shore excursions. You remain aboard, watching the city and coast pass by as the ship moves into open water.

From the water, Ala Moana gives you a broad look at Honolulu’s developed shoreline. Waikiki then provides the city lights that become more important as daylight fades. The cruise is timed so the scenery changes during dinner, from afternoon brightness to sunset and then evening illumination.

You will not stop at Ala Moana, Waikiki, or Diamond Head. That is worth knowing if you want a detailed tour of these places. The value here is the changing viewpoint. You see familiar Oahu landmarks without dealing with traffic, parking, or a restaurant reservation.

Diamond Head at sunset

Diamond Head is the route’s most striking natural landmark. The cruise passes by while the sun is going down, giving you a chance to photograph the crater and coastline from offshore.

Lighting is the great variable. Sunset times and cloud cover can change the view, so I would not book this solely for one perfect photograph. Still, Diamond Head adds a strong sense of place to the meal. This is not a generic harbor cruise that could happen in any city.

Bring a camera and sunscreen, as suggested for the activity. A hat can help during the brighter part of the sailing, though you may spend much of the evening indoors or in the lounge.

Five courses, lobster, and tenderloin

The dinner is the strongest reason to consider the Nova Five Star option. You receive five courses of seasonally inspired cuisine, with Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef served as the signature entrees.

The available information does not provide a full course-by-course menu, so I would not book expecting a particular appetizer, dessert, or side dish. Menus can be seasonal. What you can count on is the five-course format and the two principal entree choices served as part of the dinner.

The meal is served at your own private table. That matters for couples and anyone marking a birthday, anniversary, or final night on Oahu. You can talk, eat, and watch the view without needing to share a table with strangers.

At $236 per person, the price is easier to understand when you add up what is included: the cruise, five-course dinner, lobster, tenderloin, champagne toast, two premium beverages, and live entertainment. It is still expensive, and you should not confuse inclusion with low cost. This is aimed at people who want one polished evening and are willing to pay for the setting.

If your priority is simply eating good seafood at the lowest price, a cruise is probably not the best choice. You are paying for the full evening, not just the plate.

Jazz, lounge time, and the private lanai

Live jazz gives the cruise its mood. The music is described as smooth jazz with professional live entertainment, so expect a relaxed dinner soundtrack rather than a loud party from the moment you board.

The lounge provides space to enjoy the included beverages away from the table. Later, you can dance your way toward the private lanai of the Art Deco Super Nova Room. That combination gives the evening a little movement. You can sit through dinner, head to the lounge for a drink, then step out for fresh air and city views.

I like that the entertainment is not limited to a stage performance. The cruise gives you several ways to spend the evening. You can focus on the food, listen to the band, take pictures, or dance.

The atmosphere is likely to suit adults looking for a romantic or celebratory night. It is less suited to someone who wants a quiet, highly private dinner with no entertainment around them. The ship can accommodate a large number of people, with a maximum listed capacity of 999, so you should expect a major cruise-ship setting rather than a small yacht.

Friday fireworks add real value

Friday is the best night to book if the fireworks are important to you. The cruise runs for three hours on Friday instead of two, giving you extra time to watch Waikiki’s aerial fireworks show from the water.

That extra hour changes the value calculation. You are not simply getting a longer dinner. You are adding a special Oahu nighttime sight to an evening that already includes the sunset, live music, and city lights.

A Friday booking also requires sensible expectations. Fireworks viewing depends on the show schedule and visibility, and the timing of the cruise matters. The available information specifically highlights the Friday aerial fireworks, so check the sailing date and details when you reserve.

If you are planning a birthday, anniversary, or final night celebration, Friday is the date I would first investigate. One booking account described a perfect fireworks view and called the evening a memorable way to close an Oahu vacation. That fits the strongest use of this cruise: marking an occasion.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it most for couples, families with older children, and anyone wanting a single evening that combines dinner, music, drinks, and scenery. Children under three are not suitable for the activity, but most other participants can take part.

The casual dress code keeps the evening from becoming stiff. Still, short pants are not recommended, so you should dress a little more neatly than you might for a daytime boat ride. Comfortable clothing remains sensible because you will move between the dining area, lounge, and outdoor spaces.

This is also a practical choice for someone who wants a planned evening. The departure time, dinner service, entertainment, and route are arranged for you. You do not need to choose a restaurant, organize a separate sunset stop, or find a place to watch Waikiki at night.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The cruise moves along the coast, and the experience is specifically listed as unsuitable for people who get motion sick. If that is a concern, ask a medical professional about suitable precautions before booking.

There is mixed information about wheelchair use. The activity details describe accessible surfaces and wheelchair accessibility, but the suitability notes say it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Because those statements conflict, confirm the ship’s current arrangements with the provider before paying. Service animals are allowed, and strollers are listed as accessible.

Practical timing, cancellation, and what to bring

The cruise lasts 150 minutes to three hours, depending on the sailing. Standard sunset cruises are two hours, while Friday cruises run for three hours.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Oahu schedule.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, comfortable clothes, and a camera. Smoking and pets are not allowed, although service animals are permitted. Special requests should be made at least 72 hours in advance, and confirmation can take longer for bookings made within five days of travel.

The language for the tour is English. The experience is not presented as a guided historical tour, so I would not choose it if your main goal is detailed commentary about Honolulu or Diamond Head. The focus is food, music, scenery, and a managed evening on the water.

Should you book the Nova Five Star cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a special-occasion dinner with a strong Oahu setting. The lobster, tenderloin, champagne toast, premium drinks, live jazz, private table, and sunset route make the package feel complete. Friday adds the best extra: an hour for the Waikiki fireworks.

Skip it if you are watching your budget, dislike large cruise ships, or are mainly looking for a small, quiet meal. At $236 per person, the value comes from combining several experiences into one night. For a final evening, anniversary, or celebration, that can make sense. For an ordinary dinner, it is a substantial splurge.

FAQ

Where does the 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 from 4:45 PM aboard the Star of Honolulu. The cruise departs at 5:30 PM.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a five-course Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef dinner, a champagne toast, a non-alcoholic Hawaiian Bellini welcome drink, and two super premium beverages.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours on regular sailings. Friday cruises last three hours and include time to view the Waikiki aerial fireworks show.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, optional pickup is available from selected Waikiki-area locations, including the Prince Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki, Waikiki Marriott, Romer Waikiki, Ross Dress for Less on Seaside Avenue, and Alohilani Resort.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.