If you like your dinner with a view, this one delivers. This Honolulu cruise is built around sunset sailing with live jazz and a dressed-up, more premium dinner setup than most ocean cruises.

What I like most is the private table (so you can actually enjoy the meal instead of feeling like you’re in a buffet line with silverware). I also like the promise of a proper 5-course dinner—including Maine lobster and USDA prime tenderloin—served in a paced, full-course flow.

One thing to watch: the sunset depends on weather. A few people reported clouds or rain that blocked views, and the ship can get warm or a bit rocky, depending on conditions.

Quick take: what stands out

• Private dining setup with your own table, not a shared chaos vibe
• 5-course menu centered on Maine lobster and prime tenderloin
• Live jazz through the experience, including piano, sax, and vocals
• Honolulu views from the water, including Waikiki and Diamond Head area sights
• Friday add-on fireworks hour, when conditions allow

Sunset Dinner With Live Jazz in Honolulu (and the Views You Came For)

You’re paying for a very specific kind of Hawaii night: dinner on the water, smooth music in the background, and a wide-open chance to catch the sky when it turns gold over southern Oahu.

The big selling point here is timing. The cruise departs at 5:30 pm, and you’ll be sailing as the sun starts to drop. That matters because you’re not stuck eating in daylight and then waiting for the “real part” later. You get the mood built-in from the start.

And the music isn’t just a playlist. The cruise features live entertainment described as smooth jazz, with performers that can include piano, singing, and saxophone. The result is a calmer, more “date night” energy than the louder, party-style cruises.

Check-In to 5:30 Departure: How to Plan Your Timing

Meeting point is Aloha Tower Marketplace, at 1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu. Check-in starts early: you can check in from 4:45 pm aboard the Star of Honolulu, and then the ship departs at 5:30 pm.

That 45-minute window is your friend. It gives you time to get settled, find your area (lounge, dining area, or upper deck if you’re in that section), and not start the night stressed. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is also when you’ll want to be thinking about it—more on that later.

On duration: expect about 3 hours total. On Fridays, you get an extra hour to see the weekly aerial fireworks show (the added time is part of the experience, not something you squeeze in separately).

Your Private Table and the 5-Course Menu

The dinner is the main event, and it’s structured as a true 5-course meal rather than a small plate situation. You sit at your own private table, which makes the pacing feel more like a restaurant dinner and less like “stand, serve, rush.”

Here’s the menu structure you should expect:

• Starter: Cheese & Charcuterie Board, served at your table
• Starter: Maine Lobster & Beet Carpaccio Salad with fennel and goat cheese pearls, finished with champagne-chive vinaigrette
• Main: USDA Prime Tenderloin of Beef with truffle mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
• Dessert: Seasonal fruit sorbet
• Dessert: Chef’s special dessert, served with freshly baked brioche and butter

A few notes that matter for value:

• You’re getting both lobster and prime beef, which is rare for cruises in this price tier.
• The meal is designed to arrive in increments, and people often highlight how smoothly it comes out rather than feeling like one big plate drop.
• Drinks are not fully included. You do get a champagne toast plus two super premium beverages, but additional drinks cost extra.

If you’re the type who hates gambling on quality, this is the kind of cruise where the dining is clearly the centerpiece.

Live Jazz and the Art Deco Super Nova Room

This isn’t just “music while you eat.” The cruise includes live jazz entertainment and an onboard space called the Art Deco Super Nova Room, where you can dance.

The vibe you’ll likely notice:

• More of a refined tone than a club night.
• Music that’s present during dinner rather than only tacked on at the end.
• Performers that can shift the sound as the evening moves forward—piano and vocals during dinner, with additional instruments like saxophone as the night goes on.

That said, balance matters. One review complaint flagged that jazz felt like it was only happening for part of the time near the end of the cruise. So if you’re booking specifically for nonstop music, I’d come in with flexible expectations and enjoy it as a live bonus layered over dinner and views, not as a full concert with guaranteed set timing.

The Honolulu Sunset: Waikiki and Diamond Head from the Water

You’re sailing along Oahu’s southern coast, and the sights matter. Expect views of areas associated with Waikiki and Diamond Head, plus broad ocean and shoreline angles that you can’t match from shore.

This is exactly why sunset cruises work:

• From the water, you get the skyline and coastline in the frame.
• The light hits differently, and you tend to feel the evening shift in real time.

Now the downside: weather can steal the show. Some people reported clouds rolling in, rain, or conditions that affected whether the full “sunset” part delivered. If your trip is already weather-risky (it’s Hawaii, so it happens), treat the sunset as a bonus, not the only reason you’re here.

Tip: if you want the best viewing angles, plan to spend at least part of dinner time where you can look up and outside, not stuck entirely inside a lounge.

Friday Fireworks: The Extra Hour That Changes the Math

If you book on a Friday, you get an extra hour to watch the weekly aerial fireworks show. This adds real value because it extends the night without requiring another plan or a separate ticket.

The fireworks are described as visible from the Hilton area while you’re out at sea, which is exactly the kind of “I can’t believe we didn’t plan this earlier” moment people chase on Oahu.

Two practical thoughts:

• Fireworks make the experience feel more like a complete evening, not just dinner plus a quick departure.
• If you’re traveling with kids or multiple generations, fireworks tend to land better than fine-dining details.

If you’re deciding between weekdays vs Friday, this is the tiebreaker feature.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying for at $236

At $236 per person, this is not a budget cruise. You’re paying for three main things:

1. Premium dining: lobster and prime tenderloin in a structured 5-course meal
2. Live music: real performers, not a background speaker system
3. Better guest experience: private tables, and an overall “more refined” service tone

Is it worth it? It usually comes down to your expectations about what you want from the evening.

• If you’re the type who wants a high-quality meal plus a scenic night out, this price can start to make sense.
• If you think you’re buying mostly a “cheap way to see sunset,” you’ll feel the cost more sharply—especially if the sunset is muted by clouds.

Also budget for add-ons. Additional beverages cost extra, and one review mentioned souvenir photos can add expense (some people felt pictures weren’t priced fairly). Another review flagged parking costs around $27. Those extras don’t change the cruise quality, but they can affect whether the total feels like a win.

My advice: go in knowing this is a “treat night,” not a bargain sightseeing hack.

Comfort, Motion, and Weather Reality Checks

Let’s be honest: ocean cruises are still ocean cruises. Conditions affect comfort and views.

Here’s what to plan for based on what people ran into:

• Rain or low clouds: if weather is bad, the sunset can be blocked. In severe conditions, the cruise experience may be reduced.
• Rockiness: at least one person noted the boat felt a bit rocky and suggested bringing sea sickness meds if you’re sensitive.
• Heat and A/C: one review said it was warm onboard with insufficient A/C, even though there is an indoor dining setup. Bring a light layer if you run hot-cold easily.
• Bathroom quirks: there was a comment about bathroom design details feeling odd, but that’s a minor factor compared to the meal and views.

Bottom line: you can’t control the weather, but you can control what you pack—especially if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A romantic evening for anniversaries and birthdays
• A dinner that feels “real,” with lobster and tenderloin rather than snack plates
• Live music that supports conversation and ambiance
• The chance to see fireworks if you’re booking a Friday

It may not be the best fit if:

• You’re chasing the most active, high-energy entertainment style (one person suggested another version of the cruise on the same boat is more lively, and they’d choose that one if they wanted a bigger show feel).
• You’re very price-sensitive and expect the sunset to be guaranteed, no matter the weather.
• You only care about the music and want a nonstop full-length concert schedule. (Some feedback suggests music may feel more concentrated toward certain portions of the evening.)

The Small Things That Make the Night Feel Premium

A few details keep showing up as part of why people rate this so highly:

• Attentive service: staff are described as friendly, organized, and focused on making the evening feel special
• Meal pacing: people emphasized that lobster came out quickly and that courses arrived at comfortable intervals
• Clean, elegant vibe: the onboard feel is often described as refined rather than chaotic
• Top deck options: several comments recommend an upper-deck package for better views and a more spacious feel

Even with a few complaints, the pattern is clear: most people are happy when they treat this as a full experience—food, music, and views, in that order.

Should You Book Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz?

Book it if you want a romantic, upscale dinner experience at sea with real live jazz and a menu built around Maine lobster and prime tenderloin. If you can choose your date, I’d strongly consider a Friday for the extra hour of fireworks—that’s the feature that turns it from a good night into a full event.

Skip or rethink it if:

• You’re looking for a cheap sunset viewpoint and don’t care much about food quality.
• You can’t handle the risk that weather might reduce the sunset payoff.
• You expect unlimited included drinks and a full concert-style music schedule.

If you match the vibe—treat-night, views, and a proper meal—this one earns its premium label.

FAQ

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

Check-in begins from 4:45 pm onboard the Star of Honolulu, and the cruise departs at 5:30 pm.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You’ll meet at Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI 96813.

How long is the cruise?

It runs about 3 hours. On Fridays, it’s three hours total as stated and also includes an additional hour to view the weekly aerial fireworks show.

What’s included in the dinner?

Your ticket includes a two-hour sunset dinner cruise (three hours on Fridays), a 5-course dinner featuring Maine lobster and prime tenderloin, a champagne toast, and two super premium beverages, plus live jazz entertainment and dinner at your own private table.

Are drinks included besides the champagne toast?

You’ll get a champagne toast plus two super premium beverages included. Additional beverages are not included.

What are the dress recommendations?

Dress code is casual, but short pants are not recommended.

Is the ticket mobile?

Yes, it’s a mobile ticket.

Can I bring a service animal?

Service animals are allowed.

What if weather ruins the sunset?

The experience is weather-dependent. Some departures may not deliver a full sunset experience if conditions are poor, and rain has affected views for some guests.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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