Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz

Sunset, steak, jazz, and Waikiki views. The Nova Five Star cruise turns a standard boat ride into a dressed-up evening with a private table, a five-course meal, live music, and front-row views of Oahu’s southern coast. I especially like the Maine lobster and USDA Prime tenderloin dinner, plus the polished service praised by many recent customers.

I also like the Friday sailing, which lasts an extra hour for the Waikiki fireworks. The catch is the price: at $236 per person, this is a celebration splurge, not a casual dinner out. Clouds, rain, warm indoor areas, or a less-than-attentive server can also take some shine off the evening.

Five things to know before booking

• The meal centers on lobster and tenderloin: You receive a five-course dinner with a champagne toast and two premium beverages.
• Friday adds fireworks: The Friday departure runs about three hours instead of two and includes views of the weekly aerial fireworks near Waikiki.
• Private-table dining feels more intimate: You are not eating at a shared banquet table, which suits anniversaries, birthdays, and special evenings.
• The music builds through the night: Expect smooth jazz, piano, a singer, and saxophone, though the timing and amount of music may vary.
• Views depend on the weather: You may see Diamond Head, Waikiki, and sunset colors, but clouds and rain can block the main show.
• Dress is casual, but neat is wise: Short pants are discouraged. Check in aboard the Star of Honolulu from 4:45 p.m. for the 5:30 p.m. departure.

Boarding at Aloha Tower for a sunset on the water

The evening begins at Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, where you check in aboard the Star of Honolulu. The ship departs at 5:30 p.m., so arriving early matters. Check-in opens from 4:45 p.m., giving you time to get aboard without racing through the pier at the last minute.

This is a large ship, with a maximum capacity listed at 999 people, but the Nova Five Star area is designed around private-table dining rather than a noisy, all-purpose buffet setting. That distinction matters. You are paying for a more composed dinner setting, not simply a boat ride with food added on.

The ship has an Art Deco feel, a detail several customers enjoyed. One person described the style as having a 1960s character, which gives the evening a little more personality than a plain modern dining room. The setting is polished, though not everyone will find the vessel completely up to date. One account called the ship somewhat dated, while another noted that the air conditioning could feel insufficient.

Your best clothing choice is smart casual. The official guidance allows casual dress but says short pants are not recommended. For an anniversary or birthday, I would dress a notch above ordinary sightseeing clothes. You will fit in comfortably and feel more at home in the dining room.

The sunset route: Diamond Head, Waikiki, and open-water views

As the ship leaves the pier, the main attraction is the changing view. The cruise offers a striking perspective on Honolulu’s southern coast, with sightlines toward Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the shoreline around Honolulu. From the water, Waikiki takes on a different shape. Hotels, beaches, and the volcanic cone of Diamond Head read as one broad coastal picture instead of separate stops on a land tour.

The sunset is not guaranteed to be dramatic. Oahu can produce glowing skies, but clouds and rain can also cover the horizon. Several people had a wonderful meal and music-filled evening despite missing the sunset because of weather. One sailing was delayed by heavy rain because conditions were not safe for departure.

That is the central weather risk. You are buying a scheduled dinner cruise, not a guaranteed sunset. The food, service, and music still give the evening structure if the sky turns gray, but the view is a major part of the price.

The ship can also move enough for you to notice. One family recommended taking seasickness medicine as a precaution after a somewhat rocky ride. If you are sensitive to motion, plan ahead. You can enjoy the scenery more when you are not concentrating on the movement of the boat.

Five courses, from charcuterie to sorbet

Dinner begins with a cheese and charcuterie board served at your table. This is a pleasant way to start because it gives you something to enjoy while the ship gets underway and the first views open up.

The next course combines Maine lobster with beet carpaccio salad. The salad includes locally grown vegetables, fennel, goat cheese pearls, and a champagne-chive vinaigrette. It is a more carefully composed dish than the basic dinner plates found on many sightseeing cruises.

The main course is USDA Prime tenderloin of beef, served with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Maine lobster and beef are the headline pairing, and many people found the food fresh, well cooked, and worth the splurge. A few wished the lobster portion were larger. That is worth knowing if lobster is the main reason you are booking.

The mashed potatoes drew mixed reactions. Some found them excellent, while another person thought they tasted boxed and carried too much truffle flavor. The beef received more consistent praise, particularly for its cooking and gravy. Bread service also felt limited to one diner, who wanted more throughout the meal.

Dessert includes seasonal fruit sorbet and a chef’s special dessert served with freshly baked brioche and butter. The sorbet can be a welcome reset after the rich main course. One person specifically enjoyed dragon fruit sorbet, though the official menu only promises a seasonal fruit selection, so the exact flavor can change.

The kitchen has a difficult job: serving a multi-course dinner on a moving ship while keeping food at the right temperature. Recent accounts praised the pacing and said courses arrived at sensible intervals. Still, service is not perfectly uniform. One table had a waiter who did not offer water, explain the meal sequence, or ask about coffee with dessert. That kind of inconsistency matters more at this price.

Champagne and premium drinks included

The package includes a champagne toast and two super premium beverages. Additional drinks cost extra, so keep that in mind before ordering beyond the included allowance.

This is a useful value point. If you are comparing the Nova Five Star cruise with a cheaper dinner cruise, do not compare only the meal. The included toast, two premium drinks, private table, entertainment, and views make up much of the difference.

At the same time, two included drinks do not make the entire bar free. If you plan to order wine or cocktails through the evening, your final cost will rise. I would treat the included drinks as a pleasant part of the package, not as permission to assume every beverage is covered.

Jazz, piano, singing, and the Art Deco Super Nova Room

Music is one of the strongest parts of the evening. The entertainment may include live piano during dinner, followed by a singer and saxophone player. A host and jazz ensemble help give the cruise a sense of occasion without turning it into a loud party boat.

Many people rated the music among the best parts of the experience. The saxophone and singer received especially warm praise, and the live performance helped make the meal feel like a proper night out rather than dinner with background audio.

The music is not always constant. One disappointed couple said the jazz seemed limited to the last half hour as the ship returned. Another comparison found this cruise more refined but less active than a cheaper dinner-and-show option on the same ship. If you want a full evening concert or high-energy entertainment from start to finish, this may feel restrained.

You can also dance in the Art Deco Super Nova Room. The tone leans toward smooth jazz and lounge entertainment, not a rowdy nightclub. That makes it a better match for couples and special occasions than for anyone hoping to spend the evening in a big party atmosphere.

Why the private table and upper deck matter

A private table changes the rhythm of the meal. You can talk with your companion, watch the coast, and focus on the courses without sharing a table with strangers. For a birthday, anniversary, or milestone celebration, that privacy can be worth more than an extra menu item.

Several people strongly recommended the upper deck or premium seating. One couple described a top-deck dining area with beautiful views of Waikiki, while another said the upper deck package made the difference. The supplied details do not promise a specific seat for every booking, so check exactly what your selected package includes before paying.

The upper level can also offer better sightlines for photographs. You can step outside for views, then return to the air-conditioned dining area. That combination is useful at sunset, when you may want to watch from the open deck but eat in comfort.

There are a few practical comfort notes. One person found the ship warm because the air conditioning was not strong enough. Another raised a concern about the women’s restroom ceiling mirror tiles. These are not the heart of the cruise, but they are worth knowing if comfort and privacy are high priorities.

Friday fireworks add real value

Friday is the strongest booking choice if your schedule allows it. The cruise runs for about three hours on Friday, rather than the usual two, so you have more time on the water and a chance to watch the weekly aerial fireworks near Waikiki.

The fireworks can turn a good sunset cruise into a memorable evening. Several couples booked Friday for an anniversary and considered the show a major bonus. You may see the fireworks from the water with Waikiki as the backdrop, a view you cannot get from a restaurant table on land.

The tradeoff is that Friday may cost you more time in your evening, especially if you have another reservation afterward. I would leave plenty of room after the cruise rather than planning a tightly timed show or airport transfer. The activity ends back at the same Aloha Tower meeting point.

Is $236 per person fair?

At $236 per person, the Nova Five Star experience is expensive for a dinner. You are not getting the best value if your only goal is a meal at sea. Cheaper cruises on the same vessel may provide more active entertainment and a simpler dinner for less money.

The value improves when you use the cruise as a special-event package. Your price covers a five-course dinner, Maine lobster, prime tenderloin, a private table, a champagne toast, two premium drinks, live jazz, and coastal views. On Friday, you also receive an extra hour and the fireworks setting.

Service is another reason some people felt the price was justified. Many praised the friendly, attentive staff and the care given to special occasions. A few described the service as exceptional from check-in through the end of the evening. But the uneven table service means you should not assume every seating will feel equally polished.

Photography can add to the bill. One person thought a souvenir photo should have been included rather than sold separately. If you want a professional-looking keepsake, ask about the photo cost before agreeing to it.

Parking is another expense to check before arrival. One recent account expected inexpensive parking but paid $27 instead. Since parking arrangements and rates can change, confirm the current cost rather than relying on an old estimate.

Who will enjoy this Oahu cruise most?

I would recommend the Nova Five Star cruise to couples celebrating an anniversary, birthday, engagement, or other important evening. The private table, seafood-and-steak menu, live jazz, and Waikiki views create a clear sense of occasion.

It can also work well for families. The meal and scenery pleased adults and children in several accounts, and most people can participate. Still, the calm lounge style may not hold every child’s attention for two or three hours.

This is a good choice if you want a polished dinner with sightseeing built in. It is less suitable if you want a casual boat ride, a large dance party, or a cheap way to see the sunset. It is also not the safest choice for someone who gets seasick unless you prepare for the movement.

Special requests should be made by calling the provider at least 72 hours ahead. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is accessible to most participants according to the supplied information. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, but reservations made within five days of departure may take up to 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That policy gives you some flexibility if a weather problem affects your plans, though you should still watch the forecast and contact the provider if conditions look poor.

Should you book the Nova Five Star cruise?

Book it if you want a special-occasion dinner with scenery and live music, and you are comfortable paying for the full package. Friday is the best pick because of the extra hour and fireworks. If possible, choose the upper deck or premium seating after confirming what your reservation includes.

Skip it if $236 feels high for a meal, if you need guaranteed sunset weather, or if you prefer constant, high-energy entertainment. The food and service are generally strong, but the lobster portion, mashed potatoes, air conditioning, and music schedule may not satisfy everyone at this price.

My practical verdict: this is one of Oahu’s better choices for an elegant night on the water, but only when you treat it as a celebration. The cruise works best when the view, music, drinks, and private table all matter to you. If they do, the Nova Five Star package can make a birthday or anniversary feel genuinely special.

FAQ

Where does the Nova Five Star cruise depart?

It departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The dinner cruise lasts about two hours on most days. Friday sailings run about three hours and include time to watch the weekly aerial fireworks show.

What food is included?

The five-course meal includes a cheese and charcuterie board, Maine lobster with 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.

What should I wear?

The dress code is casual, but short pants are not recommended. Smart casual clothing is a sensible choice, especially for birthdays or anniversaries.