Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz

As the sun drops toward Oahu’s southern coast, the Star of Honolulu gives you a dinner-table view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the changing colors over the water. This is a dressed-up evening on a large ship, with a five-course lobster and tenderloin dinner and live jazz rather than a casual sightseeing boat ride.

I like two things in particular: you get your own table, so dinner feels like an occasion, and the menu pairs Maine lobster with USDA Prime tenderloin. The Friday sailing adds an hour for the Waikiki fireworks, which can make the higher ticket price easier to justify.

The main consideration is cost. At $236 per person, this is a splurge, and extra drinks, photos, and possibly parking add to the bill. Weather can also hide the sunset, and the jazz may not play continuously through the cruise.

At a glance

• Honolulu views from the water: Look for Waikiki and Diamond Head as the ship follows Oahu’s southern coast.
• A full five-course dinner: The set menu includes lobster, beef tenderloin, seasonal sides, and two desserts.
• Two drinks are included: You also get a champagne toast and two super premium beverages. Further drinks cost extra.
• Friday means fireworks: Friday trips run three hours instead of two and include views of the weekly fireworks show.
• Check-in starts at 4:45 pm: The ship departs at 5:30 pm from Aloha Tower Marketplace.
• A special-occasion price: The experience is best suited to an anniversary, birthday, or a traveler who wants dinner and entertainment in one outing.

Boarding at Aloha Tower before sunset

The cruise begins at Aloha Tower Marketplace, at 1 Aloha Tower Drive in Honolulu. Check-in starts at 4:45 pm, with departure at 5:30 pm. Give yourself enough time to find the pier and get aboard without turning the start of a celebration into a race.

The vessel is the Star of Honolulu, a large cruise ship that also runs other dinner and sightseeing trips. This outing is the more formal Nova Five Star experience. The boat has a private-table dining setup, a lounge, and an Art Deco-style Super Nova Room. You can settle in for dinner, then move around the ship to enjoy the music or views.

The listed activity describes a two-hour sunset cruise, while the overall booking duration is approximately three hours. Friday sailings are three hours, giving you extra time for fireworks. Plan around the 5:30 pm departure, and check your confirmation for the precise timing of your date.

Following the coast past Waikiki and Diamond Head

Once the Star of Honolulu heads out, the view becomes the main event. From the water, you can take in Waikiki and Diamond Head together, with the city’s shoreline and Oahu’s southern coast spread out beyond the dining room. The changing light gives you a different perspective from a beach or hotel balcony.

The boat sails as the sun is starting to set, but a clear sunset is never guaranteed. Clouds and rain can block the color, and heavy weather can affect whether the vessel departs. If the sky closes in, you still have dinner, the ship, and the entertainment, but the cruise may feel less distinctive. I’d treat the sunset as a welcome bonus, not the one thing that must go right.

The ship can move with the water. One family found it a little rocky, so if you are prone to seasickness, consider preparing for that possibility. The trip is on a large vessel, but no boat can promise perfectly smooth conditions.

Sitting down to lobster, tenderloin, and five courses

Dinner is served at your own private table, a useful touch for couples and families who want to talk without being shuffled between seats. The meal is presented as five courses, with a cheese and charcuterie board to start, followed by a Nova Scotia Maine lobster and beet carpaccio salad. The salad includes locally grown vegetables, fennel, goat cheese pearls, and champagne-chive vinaigrette.

The main course is USDA Prime tenderloin of beef with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The menu’s two centerpiece ingredients, lobster and tenderloin, make this more substantial than a light meal paired with a boat ride. Dessert includes seasonal fruit sorbet and a chef’s special served with freshly baked brioche and butter.

Food quality can be a matter of taste, and the meal is not uniformly described as a triumph. Many diners praise the food, freshness, and timing, while some find the sides ordinary or wish the lobster portion were larger. One diner especially disliked the truffle flavor in the mashed potatoes. If you are paying mainly for a memorable dinner, keep those mixed expectations in mind: this is a set cruise menu, not a restaurant where you choose each course.

Special dietary requests may be possible, but you must call the provider at least 72 hours ahead to confirm them. Do not assume a request is approved until you have checked directly.

Enjoying the jazz without expecting a full concert

Live entertainment is part of the evening, with accounts of piano, singing, and saxophone. The ship also has an Art Deco-style Super Nova Room, where you can dance. For many couples, the combination of dinner, music, and a night on the water is what makes this feel like a celebration rather than a meal with a view.

There is one important caveat: the timing of the jazz can vary. Some people describe music through much of dinner, while one disappointed couple said the jazz only began during the return trip. If you are buying the ticket chiefly to hear a long jazz set, this uncertainty matters. Think of the music as a significant part of the cruise, but not a guaranteed full-length concert.

The performance style is smooth jazz and live entertainment, not necessarily Hawaiian music. If you have a particular musical preference, the program may or may not match it. The setting and performers are a draw, but the cruise is not built around a single fixed show.

Choosing Friday for the fireworks

A Friday departure lasts an extra hour and includes the weekly aerial fireworks show near Waikiki. Watching the display from offshore gives you a broad view of the coast and city lights, and it can turn an already full evening into a special-occasion outing.

The fireworks are an added feature, not a replacement for the sunset. You will still want clear enough conditions for a good view, and the fireworks are tied to the Friday sailing. If you are choosing between dates and the show is important to you, book Friday and allow for the longer three-hour trip.

Friday can be especially appealing for birthdays and anniversaries because the schedule adds a clear highlight beyond dinner. If fireworks do not matter to you, a non-Friday sailing still offers the sunset cruise, meal, and entertainment, but runs for two hours.

Understanding what the $236 ticket covers

At $236 per person, this is a premium outing. The ticket includes the two-hour sunset cruise, or three hours on Friday, the five-course lobster and Prime tenderloin dinner, a champagne toast, two super premium beverages, live jazz, and your own private table. Additional beverages are not included.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If you would otherwise book a special dinner, live music, and a sunset activity separately, combining them on one ship may feel worthwhile. The private table and full meal are meaningful parts of the price. If you mainly want a boat ride or a long jazz performance, you may find the cost hard to defend.

Budget for possible extras. Photographs are not included in the ticket price, and people have found the photo purchase disappointing as an added charge. Parking is also separate. One cruise-goer reported paying $27, so check current parking arrangements rather than counting on a low hourly rate.

There are also different experiences aboard the Star of Honolulu. The Five Star outing is described as more refined, while a less expensive cruise on the same vessel may offer a more active show. Check exactly which ticket and seating category you are booking. Some diners specifically liked the top-deck experience, but do not assume a particular seat or upgrade unless your booking confirms it.

What to wear and how to plan your evening

The dress code is casual, though short pants are not recommended. You do not need formalwear, but a neat outfit suits the dinner setting. The ship has air conditioning, though some people have found it warm inside, so dress for comfort and bring a light layer if you expect to spend time indoors.

The cruise departs from and returns to Aloha Tower Marketplace. The activity allows service animals, and most people can participate. If you have a special request, contact the provider at least 72 hours in advance. For bookings made within five days of travel, confirmation may arrive within 48 hours and is subject to availability.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility, but do not rely on a clear sunset forecast when deciding: weather can change, and the cruise still has other elements if clouds roll in.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I’d consider this for a couple marking an anniversary, a family celebrating a birthday, or anyone who wants dinner and entertainment built into a scenic evening. The private table makes it easier to enjoy the meal together, and the fireworks option gives Friday sailings an extra reason to book.

It may not suit a budget-minded visitor who simply wants the best-value boat ride, or someone expecting a concert-length jazz program. The meal and setting are the point, and the price reflects that. Families can enjoy the outing too, though a three-hour Friday trip is a longer commitment than the standard sailing.

The experience has earned a strong overall rating of 4.6 from 175 reviews, but the range of reactions is a reminder to book for the right reasons. Service, music, views, and food are the most consistently praised parts. The most common reservations concern value, weather, food preferences, and extra charges.

Should you book the Nova Five Star cruise?

Book it if you want a polished sunset dinner on the water, value a private table and live music, and are comfortable paying for a special-occasion experience. Choose Friday if the fireworks are a priority, and confirm your seating category and any dietary requests before you go.

Skip it if your main goal is a low-cost cruise, a guaranteed sunset, or continuous jazz. At this price, the best way to enjoy the evening is to see it as a complete outing: dinner, city views, music, and, on Fridays, fireworks.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts and ends at Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu.

What time does the cruise depart?

The Star of Honolulu departs at 5:30 pm. Check-in starts at 4:45 pm.

How long is the cruise?

The sunset dinner cruise is two hours. Friday sailings last three hours.

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 brioche.

Are drinks included?

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

Is there live music?

Yes. Live jazz entertainment is included. The music may not play continuously throughout the cruise.

What can you see from the boat?

The cruise offers views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and other sights along Oahu’s southern coast.

What is special about the Friday cruise?

Friday sailings run for three hours and include an extra hour to view the weekly aerial fireworks show.

What is the dress code?

The dress code is casual, but short pants are not recommended.

Can I make a special request for dinner?

Call the service provider at least 72 hours before the cruise to confirm any special requests.