Makani Catamaran Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Cruise with Open Bar & Transportation
Overall Rating
4.64
Great. Would recommend to anyone. Good value
Reviewed by: Ms Julie E King, 2015/05/30My friend and her Mother from Australia joined up with me and we went on this cruise to celebrate her Mother's 80th Birthday. My friend is a vegetarian and she was a little concerned that there would not be anything she liked from the buffet. She was pleasantly surprised. The food was delicious (and hot) and there were sufficient dishes that she could enjoy. Drinks were also good not watered down and surprisingly quite a good variety to choose from. We had two drinks each which were included in the price. The ship was very clean with plenty of room for everyone to move around freely either inside or outside. We left on time and the crew were really nice and also quite funny giving the safety talk. I was very glad we had chosen this particular Sunset Cruise as was very enjoyable and we were pleased with the level of service provided to us. The weather was perfect and the sunset amazing. WE will recommend this cruise to our friends in Australia and in California as it is good value for a very good price.+l y
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/17 |
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my birthday sunset cruise
Reviewed by: Jennifer and paul, 2015/05/19My husband booked this for me for my birthday. The stuff was very friendly and funny and very nice. The buffet style dinner was very good. The two drink voucher included alcoholic drinks and the Mai Tais were super yummy. They gave you a option of purchasing a large souvenir cup for $8.00 which you may use your drink ticket to refill rather than the small plastic cup. Way better deal.. We sailed around diamond head and then back to Waikiki. The sun set was amazing.There was nothing to complain about at all on this boat . It was definitely worth it and i would do it again on my next trip to the island .This is a must do so my sure it's on your list of things to do list . If you're looking to surprise someone for their birthday or even pop the question this is a perfect way to do it I highly recommend it.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/13 |
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It was a wonderful firework cruise!
Reviewed by: koun, 2015/05/11It was a special Friday night! We sailed all the way to the diamond head and came back to around Waikiki and stayed in the best spot for the firework. The firework together with the view of Honolulu seen from the sea was exquisite!
There was nothing to complain about the boat trip - the boat was clean and had enough space for everybody to enjoy the ocean view and the wind. The drink and food served was good, and the crews were very very friendly.
The boarding time was about 3 hours which felt perfect for me.
Some people didn't feel good because of sea sick, and I regretted not to having brought wind breaker - so prepare those for your own sake.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/08 |
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"There is only limited amounts of food to go around for everyone, and only one cookie each"
Reviewed by: Jewels, 2015/05/11Operating a similar business on a neighbor island, it was clear the crew was burnt out on tourists. Too many customers for two crew and a captain. Waiting in line around 15 minutes for a drink to be made by the one crew member that had experience behind the bar was completely unacceptable. For over 40 customers to have one bartender and one deckhand that stood around looking pretty while the poor bartender served the drinks and even had to shut down the bar to prepare the food while the other deckhand was nowhere to be found. And his famous quote of the evening to make us feel like we were costing the company money to be out on the water was as follows "there is only limited amount of food to go around for everyone, and typically only one cookie per person." While they nickel and dime everyone for 2 small servings of alcohol/drink. Regarding the food it was limited selection with a pasta salad, one chicken, one beef, rice, an unappetizing tofu wrap, and one cookie. Also, there is limited table seating. Truly there is only space for 8 to 12 people to eat with a table, so it can be difficult to eat if you are sitting on the floor and it is choppy/wavy.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/08 |
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Great time
Reviewed by: Henry Le, 2015/05/03Upon arrival at the harbor the Malabo boat appeared a bit small for the size of the group. However once we boarded there was plenty of room to sit inside as well as the option to chill on deck or even sunbathe. The staff was very friendly and funny, and were very knowledgable about the islands. We were very fortunate to have been able to spot a few whales in the water during the cruise even though whale season had just ended. The catered food was served buffet style and included teriyaki chicken, pasta salad, beef and broccoli, tofu wraps, and delicious egg rolls! The free drink vouchers included alcoholic drinks and their mai tais were super good!! They give the option of purchasing a large souvenir cup for $8 which you may use your free drink ticket to refill rather than the small plastic cups. The overall cruise lasted for approximately 2 hours, with the sun setting right as we were headed back to the harbor. Overall a great experience, especially for the price. Definitely worth it!!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/30 |
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The sail that was a breath of fresh air..
Reviewed by: Craig Stempowicz, 2015/04/29The evening before the sail, the weather was nice, not too hot and no chill in the air. We chatted a little with the Bartender and the First mate before the sailing. There were a few clouds in the sky, but nothing to worry about. We boarded the vessel with excitement and anticipation. This was my first time on a Catamaran boat, so I was interested in front of the boat, where they had the mesh/strapping on the floor.
We started out into the sea, and for me this was the first time venturing on a boat onto the sea. We moved away from the shores, and stared out to the open waters. The wind blowing against my face in the open waters gave me a sense of relaxation and peace. I was eager to try sitting on the mesh netting, to feel the spray of the ocean against my legs. That too had a sense of peace, just relaxing on the mesh. But to my surprise, from the boat hitting against the waves, a blast of ocean water just covered my body.
Sailing along the ocean waters, I was able to get a better view of the mainland of the Island. The mountains in the background were priceless to see. What was even more interesting is to see how the clouds just kept hovering over the mountains. As we sailed, the aura of just standing on the deck, the fresh air that took place made the voyage a pleasant one. The dinner was hot buffet, with enough food categories to make it easily appetizing for every individual. I am sucker for chocolate chip cookies, so I engaged a little more into those.
As sunset was coming upon us and the view all around us just magnificent, I took advantage of the opportunity. I used the scenery and different parts of the boat to give the image of a picturesque life of being free. Now there were clouds in the sky at this time, but I was able to use the scenery of the sunset to my advantage, standing on the furthest point of the boat, looking out into the sunset.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/25 |
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Great Catamaran, Amazing Views, UpBeat Crew, A++
Reviewed by: Dustin, 2015/04/21My wife and were on vacation for a vow renewal after 14 years that we wanted to celebrate with amazing Oahu views. I had never heard of Makani and will be sure to spread the good word to many of our friends about an overall unforgettable trip! The Makani Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise was 5 star all the way. The boat was amazing, the staff was incredible (polite, fun, upbeat, funny and overall engaging) the food was great and, of course, how could you beat an amazing Hawaiian sunset watching the perfect fireball dip in to the endless blue water. You always expect for the trip to be good when you pay the money to be entertained, but this trip far exceeded my expectations. Everyone wanted to lay out on the catamaran nets to watch the fireworks which is always fun. Overall, this trip was the single highlight of our week long vacation in paradise and I wouldn't have changed a thing. A++ rating for the Makani and as I stated before, we will be sure to spread the word that Makani is the #1 way to spend your night watching the fireworks over the beautiful beaches of Oahu.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/17 |
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Great Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise
Reviewed by: Derek S. , 2015/04/20I had been looking for a nice dinner cruise that is a little more intimate than the large ships with several hundred people. The Makani sunset dinner cruise was perfect with only 30-40 people and a much more personal feel. Check-in was 5:00 and we boarded the catamaran around 5:20. We were given a quick overview of the ship, safety protocol, and facilities and were off around 5:30.
The initial drink service was a little slow with only one bartender but after the first round, ran fairly quickly. The food came out about 30-45 minutes into the trip and was a very tasty buffet line, similar fare to most Asian buffets in Hawaii.
The catamaran is a great design with a lot of exposed areas to stand, sit, and sunbathe as well as rails all around the ship. There is also a covered seating/dining area below deck in the center with the bar that is perfect for getting out of the wind and/or enjoying your dinner.
The night we went out was pretty windy/choppy but it didn't bother us and didn't look like anyone else aboard the ship had any motion sickness issues. The crew was very friendly and helped to deliver a great dinner cruise experience. We had captain Johnny, bartender Jenna, and can't remember the first mates name.
The fireworks display finished off our night and then we quickly returned to the harbor. I'd definitely recommend this dinner cruise and will take friends and family visiting Hawaii on this again in the future.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/17 |
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Great way to enjoy the sunset!
Reviewed by: Justin, 2015/04/09My friend and I had a really enjoyable time on the Makani Sunset Dinner Sailing cruise. Used the shuttle service that picked up right at the hotel and was comfortable, convenient and the driver was professional and courteous. The check-in process was simple and easy. The ship itself was in good condition, larger size and the group was manageable, good mix of people and not overcrowded. The Captain was professional yet casual and fun along with the staff including the entertaining bartender. The drinks were fun and good and the food was also good and filling and good mix of options with more than enough for seconds. The cruise itself was a highly enjoyable great experience on the water, view of Waikiki and the Crater. The full moon over the crater was an awesome treat along with the crew keeping the boat in perfect position to watch the Friday night fireworks. They returned the boat right on time and the shuttle back was also convenient. All-in-all, it was a great experience and recommend it to others.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/03 |
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Great night out
Reviewed by: Janine Batley, 2015/04/05This dinner cruise was very entertaining and relaxed. We came away at the end of the night thoroughly impressed. The staff on board were very nice, they talked to us personally about Hawaii and what to do while we were staying. The dinner was buffet style and the food was very tasty. Be sure to take warm clothing, as it got later into the night there was a cool sea breeze. The fireworks were impressive, however even without the fireworks the dinner cruise would still be just as good. The boat was in lovely condition and fit lots of people easily. The 2 free drinks was an extra bonus! Overall, we had a lovely night out and would highly recommend as a lovely night out on the water in Honolulu.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/03 |
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Makani Sunset Dinner Sailing Cruise (Waikiki)
Reviewed by: Brad, 2015/03/27There really isn't any better way to see the Hawaiian sunset than cruising off Waikiki beach - with only the sound of wind whistling through the sails...great food and good conversations. The crew are very friendly - sharing their sailing experiences and interesting facts about the island and Pacific ocean. The captain is very personable and experienced (having raced large sailboats). He set the sails just right for a comfortable cruise and even allowed some to take a try at the helm. In addition to the great panoramic view of Waikiki and sunset we saw a sea turtle and whales. If we had more time on this trip we would do this sailing cruise again...and most definitely will the next time we're on Oahu.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/22 |
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A relaxing ride with a yummy, Asian style buffet.
Reviewed by: Aidan, 2015/03/23Being on a quiet catamaran sailboat is a unique experience in comparison to a noisy motorboat. The buffet dish I like the most was the BBQ teriyaki chicken. The staff were experienced and friendly, starting off with a comical safety briefing and ending off with a friendly goodbye. The bartender was very knowledgeable about dealing with seasickness and different types of liqueurs. The drink special was a delicious tropical blend that fits perfectly with the environment. It was smooth sailing going out and back in, and we saw multiple whale spoutings in the distance. Listening to the relaxing music with the rhythmic movements of the ocean made a relaxing trip.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/22 |
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Makani Sunset Dinner Sailing Cruise
Reviewed by: Alex, 2015/01/06I really enjoyed the cruise. They started on time and I didn't have any issues confirming my seat through this website. I was on their list promptly. It lasts roughly two hours and the first 15 minutes generally consists of a safety briefing before everyone gets started. The crew was very informative and they allowed you to fully walk the boat as well as take pictures while you are stirring the boat. The sunset itself was beautiful and we happen to catch a few whales while out there. Overall it was well worth the experience. It's definitely a little pricy however if you are looking for a good cruise, this should definitely be something you consider.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/31 |
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Not bad!!
Reviewed by: dolphin, 2015/01/05We got a free shuttle bus from Waikiki but arrived in the harbor an hour earlier. I don't know why the driver pick us so early. We just stayed in the harbor and took pictures of us to kill the time. After we had done the tour, we needed to go back to the hotel by ourselves by using the city bus.
Hospitality, food, drink and music were all good! If you are lucky, you can see whales during winter. (We couldn't see them.) Besides that, the sunset was beautiful and hilarious.
We suggest that you had better to bring sweater, jacket or whatever you like to wear in December and January as it is chilly and windy. Overall, we highly recommend you join this tour if you have enough time in Waikiki. If you don't expect too much, then this cruise is for you. The ship was small but it was okay for us to enjoy having dinner and seeing the sunset.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/30 |
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We need sweater!!
Reviewed by: dolphin, 2015/01/05 It was windy and chilly because we joined this tour in the end of December. We thought Hawaii is hot even in winter but it wasn't. Early morning and evening was chilly. Jackets or sweaters are must! My dad felt bad as he wore short sleeves and short pants. I saw some people had sea sick. Some of them were lying on the chair and did nothing. One of the staffs take them and told them to breathe a fresh air. I realized staffs were considerate and generous. Besides, food was good. They had six dishes, which were teriyaki chicken, white rice, broccoli with beef, vegetable burritos, macaroni salad, and cookies. Everything was fine.I think teriyaki chicken was the best. Most of the dishes were cooked with vegetables so everybody can enjoy having dinner. However, the dinner would be better if all the food was hot until we started to eat.
Overall, We highly recommend you take long sleeves if you will join the cruise in winter. The sunset was beautiful and was the last time to see in 2014.(We're suppose to join the cruise on 30th but it was cancelled due to a bad weather. So, we did it the following day instead.) I guess all generations can enjoy this cruising!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/30 |
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Sunset Cruise
Reviewed by: Tina, 2014/12/30We had a great time on the sunset fireworks cruise. We had a friendly crew and the food was pretty good. I would definitely recommend this cruise.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/26 |
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Enjoyable relaxing time on the water
Reviewed by: Chad, 2014/12/13My wife and I did this as part of our honeymoon. And even though it was a cloudy evening and we didn't get to see the sunset, we still really enjoyed the trip. The crew was very personable and friendly. And even in choppy seas, the ride was smooth and peaceful. Got to see Waikiki from a different perspective, being on the ocean, and all lit up at night. The food was good, but the only thing that I would change is that the food could have been warmer. Overall an enjoyable time and I would recommend.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/11 |
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Lost in Paradise
Reviewed by: In awe!, 2014/11/16Our Makani Sunset Dinner Cruise was simply amazing!Everything about this trip was memorable-from checking in, boarding, cruising, and (sadly),returning to port.The wonderful and hospitable staff, delicious dinner, refreshing drinks, and the stunning sunset made this experience the best bang for your buck on the island. The evening started with us boarding the catamaran and choosing a seat next to the captains. We took photos and then assembled for a friendly,but thorough welcome by the small but mighty crew of three. We then fired up the bar and the engines and headed out on the ocean listening to a variety of island vibes. It was so picturesque- Heads bobbing, couples hugging, boat sailing, and the sun slowly going down.And did I mention a bridal shower group on the boat.!We chatted with others (local and first timers) and shared one common theme.....we were on the fun boat. We ate a delicious buffet of rice, colorful pasta salad, islandy tofu rolls, sweet glazed teriyaki chicken, beef and crunchy broccoli, mini egg rolls, and macadamia nut cookies (there was even food left over). The coolest part of the trip came with the sunset. We hung out on the catamaran (trampoline bed) chatting and feeling the breeze. We also took turns passing around our cameras for photo opps. As the sun disappeared into the horizon, we began to feel the 180 of the boat.While the cityscape was absolutely beautiful as it lit up the shoreline, we didn't want it to end. What an excellent adventure! Many thanks to that awesome crew for a lifetime reflection of what paradise really feels like! Mahalo!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2014/11/12 |
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Sunset dinner/ fireworks
Reviewed by: Sherie, 2014/07/26Great experience, better then expected. Would recommend it to family and friends.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2014/07/04 |
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MUCH IMPROVMENT NEEDED
Reviewed by: Pandora, 2014/05/28So Baffled how We wede crammed into this vessel. No enough seats. All of the patron made the best of it. Not entirely sure ic they ment to over book us or not.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2014/05/16 |
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Great boat experience
Reviewed by: Julia , 2014/04/23We loved the boat , the food, the crew and the beautiful evening. It was a a great event for teens as the alcohol can be monitored and the bartender is very careful . She must be a parent. The only thing I did not like, was the extra charge for transportation. I thought it was included in the tickets, however, we had to pay an additional unexpected amount at the boat. It was a surprise as I booked early and spoke to the company a number of times. Never was a balance due mentioned. It ruined what would have been a great evening.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2014/04/20 |
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Makani catamaran sunset and firework sail
Reviewed by: Cheryl, 2013/11/05Great crew. Great boat. Sunset and fireworks were awesome. Great bartender :) would definitely recommend.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Activity Date: | 2013/11/01 |
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Great experience
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2012/10/29Amazing sunset and smooth ride! Loved the net seat!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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good value
Reviewed by: mingming, 2012/07/26It was definitely a good value. I went with my dad and my sister. My dad said among all activities we went to in Honolulu including Luau and circle island tour, this is cheapeast and most fun. So I would definitely recommend to whoever comes to honolulu for first time.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
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Excellent time
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2012/06/12Crew was friendly and funny. It was a very enjoyable cruise. I highly recommend it. Very low key and relaxing.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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1st Time Hawaii-Sunset Cruise
Reviewed by: Jeff-NH, 2011/10/12First time in Hawaii, decided to do a sunset cruise. Really enjoyed it. Crew was excellent. Unfortunately you can't pick your fellow passengers so occasionally you may find a winner.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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Sunset cruise
Reviewed by: Dawn & Paul, 2011/03/15Enjoyed this greatly. Food was great ( did not spend on large supper), Sights were good, and we had a great, Boat was clean and crew were great.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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so much fun!
Reviewed by: Nick and Torie, 2010/09/13My fiance and I had a great time on this cruise. The sailboat was beautiful, the staff was awesome! The food was delicious. Good music. Beautiful sunset.... We even saw dolphins! We plan on doing other activities hosted by this crew.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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Makaini Catamaran
Reviewed by: Rodney, 2008/06/29We went out on Friday night to see the fireworks show. The ride was great, as was the sunset view. The fireworks were great, I just wish they had been a little longer. There was no down side to this activity. I highly recommend it.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
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Really wonderful sunset cruise!
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2008/05/27We went on the sunset cruise. Even though the sky overcast and the waters were choppy for part of the trip, we still had an amazing time!
Food was average but yummy, served buffet style: chicken wraps, pasta salad, spring rolls, cookies.
Great, friendly, helpful crew. Good middle-ground between a fancy dinner cruise and simple booze cruise. This is the only catamaran cruise I found that actually offers food...and for about the same price as the others that only offer alcohol.
Would definitely recommend!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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Aloha,
We are very happy that you guys had a wonderful experience on our Sunset Dinner Cruise.
Makani wants our customers have the best time on all of our Sails.
Hope to see you guys again on another Sail:)
Mahalo,
Makani Crew