Star of Honolulu — Attraction in Honolulu

I had the pleasure of being on the Star of Honolulu Dinner Cruise on New Year’s Eve. It was an incredible way to ring in the new year. From the stunning sunset views and a picturesque rainbow over the water to the delicious buffet, Mai Tai, and lively entertainment, it was a well-rounded and memorable evening. The combination of delicious food, fantastic performances, and top-notch service made this a celebration to remember.

If you’re in Honolulu and looking for a fun and unique way to experience the island on New Year’s Eve (or any special occasion), this cruise is a fantastic choice. I highly recommend it for those who want to enjoy a relaxing yet festive evening with beautiful views, great food, and lively entertainment. This experience exceeded my expectations, and I’m already thinking about doing it again next year but maybe paying for a more expensive package that i saw had fresh lobster and other delicacies !

Video Review will be posted on Tik Tok and Instagram soon @Foxyappetite

In depth review:

Spending New Year’s Eve aboard the Star of Honolulu Dinner Cruise was an unforgettable experience that blended stunning views, excellent food, great entertainment, and a fun atmosphere.

Scenic Views & Sunset

The evening started with a picturesque sunset. I couldn’t have asked for a better setting. As we cruised along the coastline, the skies were beautifully painted in shades of orange and pink, and to top it all off, we were treated to a full rainbow arching across the sky—a rare and magical sight for me! The view of Honolulu’s coastline, especially at sunset, was truly a highlight, offering ample photo opportunities.

Food & Drink

The buffet was another standout of the evening. The selection of dishes was not only varied but also delicious. There were plenty of options to choose from, including succulent meats, salads, and classic Hawaiian-inspired dishes. I particularly enjoyed the chicken and the local fish, which were cooked to perfection. For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert table had a range of tempting treats, including tropical fruits and creamy cakes.

Additionally, the included Mai Tai was the perfect way to kick off the night. It was well-balanced, refreshing, and packed with flavor.

Entertainment & Performances

The entertainment on the Star of Honolulu truly took the experience to the next level. The live music, dancing, and singing performances were amazing, with talented musicians creating a festive and lively atmosphere. The crew members were not just serving food—they were also part of the entertainment! The dancers and performers were absolutely fantastic. They had great energy, and their performances were incredibly entertaining, funny, and interactive. It was clear they were passionate about what they did, and it added so much to the overall enjoyment of the night.

The dancing was particularly fun, and we even had a chance to join in and learn some Hawaiian-style moves. It was a great way to get everyone involved and contribute to the celebratory mood of the evening. The variety of performances made the night feel dynamic, and there was something for everyone—whether you wanted to relax and enjoy the view or get up and dance.

Service

I was also impressed by the level of service on board. The staff were friendly, professional, and incredibly attentive. They not only ensured everyone had everything they needed but also joined in on the fun with their own dance numbers and performances. The servers were more than just waitstaff—they were part of the entertainment, making the evening even more enjoyable. Their enthusiasm and humor were contagious, and it was clear they were invested in making sure everyone had...

My husband loves experiences over food so for his birthday, I booked a dinner cruise. We went on a Friday night (specifically to watch the fireworks) and arrived at 4:45 when the ship was starting to board and the ship-side show was starting. We didn't have a problem finding parking and it was validated and only cost $8. I got the 5 star option and it was wonderful from beginning to end. My husband didn't know where we were going so when he realized we were getting on the ship he seemed so pleasantly surprised. When we got on the ship, we were escorted to the elevator and up onto the ship's top deck for a non-alcoholic bellini and some appetizers. We went into the ship and were escorted to our table. I was worried because in the pictures and other reviews, it said that the tables were really close together. We found the table size to be fine. I bought celebration package, which costed $30 extra per person but it guaranteed us a private window seat. I'm glad I did because the banquet seats in the middle were a lot more cramped and we would have had to sit with strangers so it would have dampened the romance factor. The meal was pretty good. I was worried that my husband would still be hungry because it's fine dining so the portions are small but my husband was satisfied. He doesn't eat seafood so I substituted chicken for the lobster, which was easy to do when I booked. The tenderloin was so soft that it literally melted in my mouth! The drinks were not very strong but definitely tasted good. Our server made sure that we always had a drink, which was great. The view of the sunset and fireworks were amazing! We took a picture with the captain which they gave to us for free at the end of the cruise. It came in a hard cover album type frame. During dinner, there was a hula show, which was touristy but good. After dinner, there was a jazz trio. They invited everyone to dance, which we did. I thought it was pricey, but for what you get, I feel that it was more than worth it! You get a 7 course meal, 3 drink tickets each (for either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks so use them for the alcohol and pay for your sodas to get the best deal for your money), a keepsake photo, multiple shows (there was the ship-side show, the show on deck at the captain's reception, the hula show during dinner, and the jazz show), and most of the top deck is reserved for 5 star guests so watching the sunset and fireworks was comfortable, despite there being 1000+ people on board. My husband said it was the best date we'd ever been on and I agree! We will definitely do it again for another special occasion. We will likely take our kids to do one of the other packages because there were many couples on the 5 star deck who were celebrating and I wouldn't want to ruin their experience scolding my loud and excited kids. My only complaint is that before we left the harbor, I was seated on the west side of the ship and it was really hot with the sun beaming...

What an absolute abomination. This joke of a company should be embarrassed. I paid almost $400 for a 3rd tier out of 4 sunset dinner cruise and fireworks show just to be stashed in a corner of the dirty boat against dirty windows we couldn’t see well out of and for the boat to leave the port 17 minutes before sunset. Then they served dinner during sunset. The actors were literally changing their costumes 10 feet away from us in a hallway. Which unfortunately was the best view of them we had because we were stowed away in the corner against a bulkhead like a 4-year old who disobeyed his parents. I’ve paid $65 each for a sunset dinner cruise at home, where they actually allow you to enjoy the sunset and let you see a nice show too- what a concept! The $30 professional photo we paid for was taken at our table (not with you know… THE SUNSET in the background!!!) which we could have done by ourselves. More? Sure I’ll add more… the windows to see outside of the boat were FILTHY. I mean you could barely see out of them. It looked like the previously mentioned 4-year old “cleaned” them. How about those fireworks!! Well let me tell ya… if you weren’t suggested to do so by your waiter to go outside and wait 35 minutes prior to the fireworks starting, then you would be unable to actually see them because everybody had to be on one side of the boat and man let me tell you how great of a feeling it is to have 50 people you’ve never seen before trying to push you and walk over you just to see a 5 minute fireworks show. Yes, 5 whopping minutes. WOW. The show itself was good (I think) That said, the other decks who paid less actually had more and longer and better entertainment. Hell- they were still performing for them while we were off the boat and on the way to the buses. I could go on but I’ll just stop here. The only positive thing I have to say is that our waiter Danny was absolutely outstanding! What an outgoing, caring and hard working gentleman he is… kudos to Danny!!! So as a recap, here is what you get for your $368.40: dirty boat, dirty windows, no fresh air, a very short show you can’t see, a sunset you are forced to miss or go see while your dinner gets cold, a dinner in Hawaii that is by no means Hawaiian (regular old mainland steak, lobster or chicken, and mashed potatoes), a fireworks show that you get piled on top of to watch, and a completely disorganized exodus from the boat that had everybody standing on top of each other at the doors getting hit and sweaty like the basement in a college frat while you get even more angered because the people on the other decks who paid less are still enjoying fresh air and a live show they are able to see. 10/10 would...