If you want Honolulu to feel a little special, this cruise does it. You get sunset views over Waikiki and Diamond Head, then live jazz while a 5-course dinner lands at your private table. For many people, it hits the sweet spot between tourist fun and a truly nicer night out.

The two things I’d bet you’ll care about most are the food quality and the setting. The Maine lobster and USDA prime tenderloin are the stars, served tableside, and the entertainment stays part of the meal rather than feeling tacked on at the end. One thing to keep in mind: the “big sunset” is weather-dependent, and rain or heavy clouds can change what you see from the water.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Private table dining with a paced 5-course meal, not a buffet sprint
• Maine lobster and prime tenderloin served tableside as the main event
• Live jazz throughout dinner, with an Art Deco room for dancing
• Friday cruises add an extra hour for Honolulu’s weekly aerial fireworks show
• Comfort can vary on warmer evenings, so pack a light layer
• Souvenir photos and extra drinks may cost extra, so plan your budget

How the Timing Works for a True Sunset (Not a Random Boat Ride)

This cruise runs from 5:30 pm, with check-in starting around 4:45 pm onboard the Star of Honolulu at Aloha Tower Marketplace (1 Aloha Tower Dr). The schedule matters because the whole point is catching the sun as it slides down over Oahu’s southern coast.

You’re looking at about 2 hours for the sunset dinner cruise. On Fridays, it stretches to about 3 hours, with an additional hour for the weekly aerial fireworks show. That extra hour can be a big deal if you’re planning a single “wow” night on the island and want sunset plus fireworks without juggling multiple plans.

Also, you’re not just drifting with snacks. The dinner is structured for the pace of a cruise: you arrive, sit down at your private table, then courses arrive as you sail. If you’re the type who hates waiting around, this format tends to feel smooth.

Boarding at Aloha Tower: Quick Check-In, Big View Payoff

The meeting point is convenient if you’re staying anywhere near Waikiki: Aloha Tower Marketplace is the hub. You’ll have a mobile ticket, and you’ll check in on the ship itself. Service animals are allowed, and the cruise says most people can participate.

One practical note: parking near major Honolulu landmarks can be steep. In at least one recent experience, a reviewer mentioned paying $27 for an hour for parking. If you’re driving, either budget for that or consider dropping people off and keeping your car strategy simple.

Finally, dress is casual. The guidance says short pants are not recommended, which is a nice way of saying: go comfortably dressed, but aim for a step above pool-day shorts. If you run cold easily on the water, bring a light layer anyway.

The 5-Course Dinner: Lobster and Prime Tenderloin Are the Real Reason

This is a premium dinner cruise, and the menu reflects that. The 5-course meal is served at your private table, and the two main-course highlights are Maine lobster and USDA prime tenderloin of beef, both tied to signature, tableside presentation.

Here’s the flow you can expect:

• Starter: a cheese and charcuterie board at your table
• Starter: Maine lobster & beet carpaccio salad
• This includes locally grown vegetable salad plus fennel and goat cheese pearls with a champagne-chive vinaigrette
• Main: USDA Prime Tenderloin of Beef
• Served with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
• Dessert: sorbet (seasonal fruit sorbet)
• Chef’s special dessert
• Served with freshly baked brioche and butter

Two value points here. First, the meal is not “nice dinner, sort of.” It’s built around real main proteins, not just small bites. Second, service timing matters on a cruise, people who felt it was worth the money often pointed to the fact that courses arrived with good pacing and no long waiting.

That said, this is Hawaii, and appetite varies. One person wished the lobster portion was a bit bigger. If you know you eat like a champion, consider setting expectations: it’s a plated 5-course dinner, but you may still want to add a snack later or eat a hearty breakfast on shore.

Champagne Toast, Premium Drinks, and What’s Included

You’ll get a champagne toast plus two super premium beverages included with the cruise. That’s helpful if you don’t want to immediately open your wallet for drinks right after boarding.

Additional beverages are not included, so if you’re planning to do a full cocktail program, bring cash or card readiness. On a few experiences, people praised the drinks, which is a good sign that the “included” beverages aren’t just token sips.

If you’re sensitive to timing, note that alcohol (and ocean motion) can add up. Even when conditions are fine, a reviewer mentioned the boat can get a bit rocky, and I’d take that seriously if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Jazz, the Art Deco Super Nova Room, and the Vibe You’re Paying For

The entertainment is a major part of the value. This isn’t silent background music while you talk over your appetizer. You get smooth jazz with professional live entertainment, and there’s music playing through dinner rather than a short burst at the end.

The vibe is also part of the pitch: there’s an Art Deco Super Nova Room where you can dance. That’s a fun option if you want the night to feel celebratory, not just scenic.

A quick reality check: a couple of people felt the jazz was only the last half-hour during their sailing. So if “continuous jazz all night” is your top priority, plan to be flexible. Even with variation, many experiences describe the music as a highlight, especially live singing plus instruments like sax.

Also: if you’re booking for a birthday or anniversary, this kind of live performance can turn the whole evening into a memory. One reviewer used words like attentive and personal, and that matches the way a well-run dinner cruise works: it should feel like staff are pacing you, not herding you.

Diamond Head and Waikiki Views From the Water: What You’ll Actually See

The biggest lure is the viewpoint. You cruise while the sun sets along Honolulu’s southern coast, with views that can include Diamond Head, Waikiki, and other coastal sights.

On a perfect evening, you’re getting the whole sunset show from the water. On a less-perfect evening, you’ll still be out there enjoying the dinner and live music, but the sky might not deliver the dramatic colors you came for.

A few recent experiences mentioned clouds rolling in, rain hitting hard, and in at least one case, weather being unsafe enough that the cruise couldn’t run as a sunset tour. If the sunset is the main reason for the booking, consider having a Plan B day for other Waikiki activities.

Friday Extra Hour: Fireworks Without the Logistics Stress

If you can swing it, Friday is the easy choice. Booking on a Friday adds about one extra hour so you can view the weekly aerial fireworks show.

This matters for two reasons:

1. You don’t have to stake out a crowded viewing spot on land.
2. You get a smoother timeline: sunset first, then fireworks later, still with the dinner pacing in the background.

One reviewer mentioned that fireworks were viewed from Hilton area angles, which suggests you’ll be positioned well to see the show without needing to sprint across town after dinner.

Comfort Notes That Can Make or Break the Night

Even when the experience is great, comfort is where people feel differences.

A few practical issues showed up:

• Temperature: one reviewer said it felt warm on board with insufficient A/C. If you’re sensitive to heat, bring a light layer and plan for warm decks indoors.
• Sea conditions: if the boat gets rocky, motion sickness can sneak up. If you’ve gotten seasick before, I’d take preventive meds.
• Outdoor viewing: top deck or more open spaces can feel better for views, but air flow and warmth can vary by time and weather.

Also remember: short pants are not recommended, so if you’re arriving in “gym gear,” you may need a quick change to match the suggested dress code.

Price and Value: When $236 Makes Sense

At $236 per person, this is not a budget cruise. The value case comes from stacking three expensive things into one evening:

• a premium 5-course dinner built around lobster and prime tenderloin
• live jazz entertainment
• prime timing for sunset (plus Friday fireworks)

If you were going to do the meal plus a show plus a special waterfront activity, you’d likely pay close to or more than this once everything is separated. This cruise tries to bundle it so you’re not constantly paying for add-ons just to make the night feel complete.

Where the value debate hits is expectations. One unhappy experience called it way too expensive for what you get, pointing to things like jazz being shorter than expected and feeling the food didn’t match the price. That’s your reminder to book with the right mindset: you’re paying for the overall package, views, service pacing, and live music, not just a plate of steak.

Two tips to protect your money:

• Plan for extra drinks and souvenir photos as possible add-on costs.
• If you care about the vibe, consider choosing the option that gets you the best room/deck access. Some reviewers specifically praised the top deck experience.

Who Should Book This Cruise (And Who Might Skip It)

This one fits best if you want a celebratory evening without turning it into a project.

Book it if:

• you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary
• you want lobster and prime tenderloin in a scenic setting
• live jazz is your kind of night
• you prefer private table dining rather than communal setups

You might think twice if:

• you’re extremely price-sensitive and want just the view
• your main goal is a guaranteed perfect sunset photo (weather can spoil that)
• you only like music when it’s on nonstop for the whole cruise (some experiences reported the jazz wasn’t constant for every minute)

Should You Book Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz?

I’d recommend it when you want one standout dinner night in Oahu that mixes good food, live music, and water views without extra planning. The menu is the strongest argument on paper, and the way the meal is paced at your private table is exactly what turns a cruise into a real dining experience.

But I’d be smart about it too. If the sunset is your single obsession, check the weather the day of travel and keep expectations flexible, clouds and rain can happen in Hawaii, just like anywhere else. And if you’re booking as a value decision, do it on a Friday if you can, since the fireworks add a clear reason to pay for the extra time.

If you want a polished, romantic, music-and-dinner night, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

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

It departs at 5:30 pm. Check-in begins around 4:45 pm onboard the Star of Honolulu.

Where is the meeting point?

The cruise starts at Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI 96813. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the cruise?

It’s about 2 hours. On Fridays, it runs about 3 hours to include an extra hour for the weekly aerial fireworks show.

What’s included in the price?

You get the sunset dinner cruise, a 5-course dinner featuring Maine lobster and prime tenderloin, a champagne toast, live jazz entertainment, two super premium beverages, and dinner at your private table.

Are drinks included beyond the two super premium beverages?

No. Additional beverages cost extra.

What kind of dinner menu should I expect?

You can expect a cheese and charcuterie board, Maine lobster & beet carpaccio salad, USDA prime tenderloin with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, sorbet, and a chef’s special dessert served with brioche and butter.

Is there a dress code?

Dress is casual, but short pants are not recommended.

How does the entertainment work?

You’ll have live jazz entertainment during the cruise, and there’s an Art Deco Super Nova Room where dancing is possible.

Can I take motion sickness precautions?

The boat can be rocky at times, so if you get seasick easily, consider bringing motion sickness meds.

What if weather ruins the sunset?

Heavy clouds or rain can affect visibility. In poor conditions, it may not be run as a sunset tour if conditions are unsafe.

What’s the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.