All Reviews for Sunset & Cocktail Cruises

The weather was cloudy with light rain starting partway through, but I was fortunate enough to spot whales three times, seeing their spouts, backs, and tails. It was an English tour, but whenever a whale appeared, someone would shout "Whale! Right?" so it wasn't a problem. I was at the very front of the boat and was thrilled to see turtles and dolphins swimming nearby. However, the boat was quite rocky, so I strongly recommend taking motion sickness medication. I also noticed some people feeling groggy inside the boat.

Additionally, it can be surprisingly cold on the water, so a jacket or a towel is essential. There is a directive to print out a waiver on paper, but it seemed that you could also read a QR code at the reception and respond that way. For those who are not confident in English, I think it would be fine to sign the printed paper and bring it along.

I hope everyone has a great experience!

天候は曇りで途中から小雨が降るなど恵まれませんでしたが、クジラには気付いただけで3回、塩吹き、背中、尾びれまで見ることが出来ました。英語ツアーでしたがクジラがでるとどなたかがWhale！right などと叫ぶので問題なかったです。船の一番前で見ていたところ、カメやイルカが泳ぐのも身近に見れて大満足。ただし、かなり揺れがあったので酔い止めを飲まれることを強くおすすめします。船内でグロッキー状態の方も見かけました。
また海上は意外と寒いので上着やバスタオルなど羽織物も必須です。
なお、宣誓書を紙でプリントアウトしていくよう指示がありますが、当日受付でQRコードを読んで回答してもよいようでした。英語苦手な方は印刷した紙にサインしてお持ちになればよいかと思います。
みなさんの体験がよいものでありますように

Highly recommend this evening out . The captain and his first mate are absolutely professional and also a lot of fun. We felt very looked after and safe on the adventure . The wind was pretty rough and the sea was the same but they did an excellent job ensuring our safety and comfort.

Cheers to the crew and the sunset experience.

Would recommend to anyone .
Thank you

The weather could have been better but we made the most of it.
The cruise had free flowing drinks and staff were great fun.

We participated as a couple. The hotel pick-up and drop-off was convenient. Upon arriving at the departure port, we boarded a large cruise ship, where the staff and captain provided thorough safety instructions and explained the ecology of whales and viewing points. Then, the whale watching began. Since it was a large ship, we were satisfied just enjoying the view of Waikiki and Diamond Head from offshore while cruising steadily. Once we reached the spot, we were able to see the whales' backs and spouts several times, and I thought it was a great experience.

夫婦で参加いたしました。ホテルまで送迎があり便利でした。出発地点の港に到着すると、大きなクルーズ船に乗り込み、スタッフやキャプテンの安全の説明やくじらの生態や見るポイントなどを丁寧に説明がされたあとに、くじらホエールウォッチングが始まりました。大型船なので安定した走行の中で沖合からワイキキの街並みとダイヤモンドヘッドを眺めるだけでも満足。スポットに到達すると、くじらの背中と潮吹きを何度か見ることができ、良い体験ができたと思いました。

It was interesting to say, enjoyed the environment and the food. Was with my girlfriend and she loved it. Was at a table on the edge to the starboard side. What topped it all was doing it on the night of the fireworks! Would do again.

The ship was large, so it was stable. However, it does sway a bit during movement. I took motion sickness medication in advance.
I was able to see a mother and baby whale. I could observe the spouting, back, and tail relatively close up. Since they are wild animals, I didn't expect any flashy behavior, so it met my expectations. The naturalist provided various explanations. Even those who don't understand English can enjoy it, and the staff are friendly.

大きな船なので、安定していました。ただし、移動の際はそれなりに揺れます。酔い止めをあらかじめ飲んでおきました。
クジラは親子をみることができました。潮吹きの様子や、背中、しっぽを、比較的近くで見られました。野生の生き物なので派手な行動はそもそもそんなには期待していなかったので、期待通りでした。ナチュラリストの方が色々解説してくれます。(英語)英語が分からない人でもたのしめますし、スタッフの方は感じがいいです。

I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't see any whales, but I was happy to spend a relaxing time on the boat, feeling the sea breeze. The blue ocean and sky with white clouds were truly refreshing. I thought the view of Diamond Head and Waikiki from the sea was quite nice as well. Even if you can't see whales, you can receive a ticket for another trip later. If you tell the staff with the board your name, you'll get the ticket. If I had a few more days, I definitely would have liked to go again.

クジラを観ることが出来なかった為、少しガッカリしましたが、潮風に吹かれてのんびりと船で過ごせて嬉しかったです。
青い海と青い空に白い雲、本当に気持ち良かったです。
海から見るダイアモンドヘッドやワイキキもなかなか良いと思いました。
クジラを観ることが出来なくても、後日乗れる乗船券をもらうことが出来ます。
ボードを持ったスタッフに名前を伝えるとチケットをもらえます。
もう少し日にちがあったら、是非また乗りたかったです。

Good that we can see the whale. The check in is smooth and the staff is friendly. Highly recommend. The presail information is important so that we know what we should look for. Captain Mike is awesome and friendly. Sarah is kind and good.

everyone i brought on the boat was so satisfied with the experience. we all had so much fun and the staff was very kind and friendly! (and the drinks were amazing :))

What an amazing time! We got picked up a minute away from our hotel and the bus driver even shared some Oahu history during the ride! We opted for the five star dinner and it was incredible. We felt like VIPs! Incredible food, the BEST steak I have ever had and delicious champagne. Live Jazz music on our deck and stunning views. Definitely going to do it again next time we visit! I recommend bringing a jacket as it can get pretty windy on the outside deck and indoors is air-conditioned.

Best experience EVER!!!! The music was amazing, the drinks were good, and the boat was spacious!

We were able to see whales safely, although we were a bit far away. However, the wind was strong and the waves were high, causing the boat to rock a lot. By the time we reached the whale watching point, the situation was quite tough, and honestly, it felt like we couldn't focus on seeing the whales at all. Those who don't get seasick seemed to be having a great time, but I think it's essential for those who are prone to motion sickness to take medication.

少し離れたところからではありましたが、無事にクジラは見れました。ただ風が強く、波も高かったので船がすごく揺れました。クジラが見れるポイントについた時にはかなり辛い状況で、正直クジラを見るどころではない感じでした。船酔いしない人は楽しそうにしてましたが、酔いやすい人は酔い止め必須だと思います。

I participated in the tour on February 9th. This was my third time joining this tour. The first two tours were in January, and I was very satisfied and enjoyed both, seeing whales with their young, very large tails, and spouting water. This time, I was drawn in by the "second person free" offer, but compared to the calm sailing I experienced before, the wind was strong and the boat rocked quite a bit. I thought I wouldn't need motion sickness medication based on my previous experiences, so I participated without taking any, which made me quite worried about getting seasick. My sister was also not in a state to go out on the deck, so she sat in a chair placed in the aisle on the second floor of the boat. Surprisingly, this spot turned out to be a hidden gem, as no one stood in front of us and there was nothing obstructing our view, allowing us to sit and enjoy the scenery until the end. Since I was sitting on the right side of the boat, at first, I could only see the endless horizon, the large, crashing waves, and small boats that looked like they might sink, which made me a bit anxious. However, on the way back to the port, the view of Diamond Head and the hotels in Waikiki spread out before us, and I naturally ended up taking a lot of photos. Although we didn't encounter any whales this time, the view of the Waikiki hotels from the sea is something you don't get to see often, so I recommend experiencing it at least once. Since we didn't see any whales, there will be ticket distribution for the next time, but it's only in English, so please be careful not to miss it.

2/9のツアーに参加しました。このツアーの参加は３回目になります。２回のツアーは１月でした。子供を連れたクジラやとても大きな尾ひれ、吹き上がる潮など2回ともとても満足で楽しめました。今回は2人目無料に惹かれて再びの参加でしたが、今までの穏やかな航行に比べて風も強く揺れも強く踏ん張ってもふらつくほどで、今までの経験から酔い止めは必要ないと思っていましたので飲むことなく参加してしまい船酔いしないかととても心配でした。妹もとてもデッキに出る状態ではなかったので2階の船の通路に置かれている椅子に座っていましたが、案外とこの場所が穴場で前に人が立つことなく遮るものも無かったので、最後まで座って景色を見ることができました。船の右側に座っていたので初めはどこまでも続く水平線や大きく波打ち荒れるボートや沈んでしまいそうな小舟ばかりが目に入り少し不安でしたが、港に戻る航路にはダイヤモンドヘッドやワイキキのホテル群が広がって自然と写真を撮りまくっていました。今回はクジラには出会えませんでしたが海から眺めるワイキキのホテル群はなかなか見れない景色なので一度体験してみてください。クジラに会えなかったので次回のチケット配布がありますが英語のみなので聞き逃さないように気を付けてください。

After watching the sunrise at Diamond Head, I returned to the hotel to change and then participated in the 10:30 whale watching tour. I thought I might not see any whales since it was only a two-hour trip, but I was able to see whales multiple times, although they were a bit distant on either side of the boat. It was also thanks to being on the boat that I could see Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach! It was cloudy, so it wasn't a concern, but on a sunny day, it would be wise to apply sunscreen thoroughly (the wind is strong, so hats can fly away). One point to note is that the announcements were only in English, and it was a bit unclear that I needed to sign a waiver before boarding, but other than that, I was really satisfied.

ダイヤモンドヘッドの朝日を見て、ホテルに帰って着替えてから、10時半のホエールウォッチングに参加しました。
2時間なので見えないかもと思っていましたが、船の左右で少し離れてはいましたが何度も鯨を見ることができました。
ダイヤモンドヘッドとワイキキビーチが見えるのも船に乗ったからこそ！
曇り空だったので気になりませんでしたが、快晴なら日焼け止めをしっかり塗ったほうが良さそう。（風が強いので帽子は飛んでいきます）
ただ一点、英語のアナウンスのみのため、補償契約を乗船前に書かなくてはいけないのが分かりづらかったけど、それ以外は本当に満足でした。

The staffs were so friendly and nice and would be perfect if we all spotted a whale or two :)

The crew was nice. The cost was to include 3 Mai Tais. Whatever they served us was not Mai Tais. They didn’t look or taste like Mai Tais, no juices or dark rum.
We had fun but they need to improve the drinks and actually provide Mai Tais not something they concocted with white rum
And ginger ale. What we got was not what we paid for.

As the title says, it's an awesome way to spend a morning in Oahu! (Feb 2024)

We arrived early to self park and upon boarding we're guided to the main lower deck for a brief introduction and instructions. The Star of Honolulu was spacious with several decks, allowing options for guests as to how they want to go about the whale watching experience. Our group stayed on the second deck, not too many people went there (we think, as compared to the top deck).

Kaitlyn, our naturalist, was entertaining - lots of dad jokes* - and information about the wildlife in the area (whales, dolphins, etc).

Finally the highlight of the tour, the whale sighting! We were very lucky to be able to witness a mama whale teaching her baby whale how to breach! It was so fun and amazing to watch them play around in the water. That's sure to be an unforgettable experience. It was good timing too that we visited Hawaii during peak whale watching season.

Other points I'd like to mention:
- The restroom was clean and had a lot of stalls, so you wouldn't have to worry.
- The crew also mentioned that they had ginger chews to help if you're feeling a bit seasick.
- Food & drinks are available to purchase onboard.
- I was rather a bit worried that the life vests were only available inside the benches on the main deck (iirc). I think it might be good to make sure there are life vests in other areas of the boat as well in case of emergency. Not everyone on the upper decks might be able to come down the stairs. Or maybe I'm just being a worrywart, don't mind me.

*KRILL-ed cheese was my favorite joke. :D

Hello everybody,

Let me share our experience (honeymooners) on the 5 Stars Course of that Dinner Cruise with you.

In terms of hospitality, starting from the pick-up crew, to the captains and waitress (many thanks to lovely Jordan), it was just great.

We had an super easy pick up with a bus, where everyone received a sticker depending on the course they’ve booked and then took around 15-30 minutes to get the harbor.

Everyone had a warm welcome with local dance and music in front of the boat while boarding. Once we have taken our seats, we were welcomed with nice champagne and some cheese and ham plate with crackers.

In terms of the food in that day, it was simply amazing and tasty. ESPECIALLY the served meat. Whoever cooked that: genius!

Anyhow, besides food and drinks we got the chance to explore the boat between the food breaks. We had an amazing view on Waikiki/Diamond Head/other boats, even though it was cloudy. It was still very enjoyable. And also we had the great luck to see whales! That was the cherry on top.

Well, besides all of that going on, we had live entertainment (pianist, some Saxophon and some singer - all just awesome). They’ll also take a picture of you, so for 30$ you can purchase them.
In the end, everyone with some special occasion was asked to dance in the middle of the room, which was pretty romantic.


Overall, it was really worth it.

Minus points for:
- photo only available as data file for another 20$ (why?!)
- pretty chilly inside the boat (but guess this depends on the season)


Overall, just great! Would love to board once more in the future.
Thanks everyone!

We had a great time on the boat! Unfortunately, we did not see a whale but was offered a rain check to return. We would love to come back and do it again! The staff was excellent and very informing.

Maholo!

We participated as a couple in our 70s. First of all, the view from the ship was amazing! We were able to see the buildings of Hawaii and Diamond Head from the sea side, and we enjoyed it even when we couldn't see any whales. We spotted whales about three times! Although we couldn't see their entire bodies, we were able to see their tails and the spouts. The interior of the ship was spacious, and we could go out to the deck from various levels, which made it fun to experience the different views. Right after boarding, there was a photo session, and we received the developed photos at the end. Onboard, we could purchase light snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol.

70歳夫婦で参加しました。
まず、船内からの眺めが最高でした！ハワイの建物やダイヤモンドヘッドを海側から見ることができ、クジラが見れないときも楽しめました。
クジラは３回ほど見えました！身体全体は見えなかったですが、尻尾や潮吹きの様子を見ることができました。
船内は広くいろいろな階からデッキに出ることができ、移動してそれぞれの景色の違いも楽しかったです。
乗船してすぐに写真撮影があり、最後に現像したものを頂けました。船内では軽食やソフトドリンク、アルコールも購入できました。

This activity is so much fun! Round trip it took about 2 hours from getting on to getting off the boat, so it's perfect if you're looking for a quick boat ride while in Waikiki. The fireworks show were great and the perfect start or ending to a Friday night. The crew we had was amazing - very quick bar service, very stiff drinks, and they were the most helpful and fun! You can tell I was having a good time by the attached photo lol. FYI you will get a bit wet if you choose to sit on the catamaran's net seating at the front, but the boat is very comfortable and everyone had a good view from anywhere they were seated while the fireworks were going on. Also FYI they don't let the sails down during this night boat trip. Definitely recommend for just an easygoing and cool experience.

Meet at Pier 8 near Aloha Tower at 8:00 AM.
There is a shuttle service, but you can also take The Bus from Waikiki for just $3 one way!
I arrived before 8:00 AM, and check-in started right at 8:00, with check-in open until around 8:30. It's definitely better to arrive early.
We departed on time, and the female guide spoke various things in English to the participants, but I couldn't understand anything. (laughs)
After that, we were told we could freely move around the deck, and I looked out at the sea from the third floor, searching for whales.
The explanations about the whales were given alternately in English and Japanese, which was very educational and enjoyable.
Later, we heard an announcement about the direction of a spout, and everyone stared in that direction, but we didn't see any whales until the end of the cruise.
Well, it's nature, so it can't be helped.
That said, the view of Diamond Head from the sea was very beautiful, and it was a great experience.
When we were getting off the boat, there was an announcement that those who wanted could get tickets to ride again. If you're confident in your English, feel free to ask.
Considering the time I had in Honolulu, I thought it would be impossible to try again, so I didn't reschedule this time. After all, there's no guarantee that I would see anything next time either...
It was a fun experience. Thank you very much.

８時にアロハタワー近くのピア８集合。
送迎があるけどワイキキから出てるザバスで向かえば片道３ドルで行けます！
８時前に着き、８時ちょうどにチェックイン開始、８時半くらいまでチェックイン受け付けてた印象です。早く行くに越した事は無いですが。
時間通りに出航し、まず添乗員の女性が参加者に向かって色々英語で話してましたが全く分からず。笑
その後は自由にデッキを移動して良いと言われ、3階から海を眺めクジラを探しました。
クジラについての説明が英語と日本語交互で行われ、とても勉強になったし楽しかったです。
その後、潮吹きが何時の方向で見えましたのアナウンスを聞きみんなでそちらの方向を凝視するもクルージング終了までクジラは現れず。
まあ、自然相手なので仕方ないですね。
とは言え海から見るダイヤモンドヘッドはとても綺麗で、良い体験になりました。
船を降りる時、希望者はまた乗れるチケットをくれるとアナウンスがありました。英語で伝えられる自信がある人は言ってみてください。
ホノルル滞在時間を考えるとまたチャレンジするのは無理かなと思い、今回は特段振り替えませんでした。次乗った時見れるとも限りませんからね、、、。
楽しい経験になりました。ありがとうございました。

The staff & crew aboard boat were amazing! All the good vibes & energy were there from the moment we walked up to departure. Drinks were flowing, DJ was playing great tunes, opportunity for amazing photos & videos, and ability to take advantage of all parts of the boat. There were other boats full of people looking at ours that were jealous because of how much fun we all were having!! Highly recommend & would book again when we travel back to Hawaii….10/10!!!!!

This time, since it was my first visit to Hawaii in a while, I booked a dinner cruise for the last day. We were guided to the fourth floor, which featured a gorgeous space and a spacious deck. You can immediately tell it’s a special setting. The sunset view across the sea from the window, combined with the magical beauty of the sunset, creates the perfect location. I didn't have high expectations for the food, but everything was delicious with delicate seasoning. By the time we reached the main course, I was usually quite full, and even if they served a steak with an overly marbled texture at that point, I could only manage a bite. However, the steak had a good balance of texture, which I personally rated highly. There was piano music, saxophone, and live jazz singing, creating an extraordinary atmosphere that matched the dress code. The captain greeted each guest, and the staff's attentive service was refined. Since I participated with my spouse, I imagined how wonderful it would be to spend this special time with all our children as well. I definitely want to participate again. T.K

I have participated in sunset cruises several times, but this was my first sunset cruise on the Honolulu. Perhaps because it was a weekday, all the middle seats were empty, and we were seated by the window with a view. The atmosphere was very nice, and the guests, wearing bright red dresses, added a touch of elegance to the space. The course meal included an appetizer of assorted cheeses, a salad (with lobster), a sorbet in between, thick-cut roast beef with truffle mashed potatoes, cheesecake, and coffee. Everything was truly delicious, and I could really feel the quality of 5A. With live performances, it was a dinner cruise that left me completely satisfied. S.K

今回は久しぶりのハワイという事で、最終日にディナークルーズを予約。
4階部分に案内され、ゴージャスな空間と、広めのデッキ。
特別な空間とすぐにわかります。
窓から見れる海を挟んでの夕景は、日の入り時の幻想的な美しさと合わさって、最高のロケーションに。
食事はあまり期待していませんでしたが、繊細さを持つ味付けでどれも美味しい。
メイン料理に辿り着く頃、大抵満腹近くなり、そのタイミングで霜降り過ぎる肉質のステーキなど出されても到底一口しか食べれないが、バランスの良い肉質のステーキで、個人的には◎。
ピアノ演奏、サックス、ジャスの生歌があり、ドレスコードに合った演出に、非日常感があります。
キャプテンが一人一人に挨拶され、スタッフの方の丁寧なもてなしも洗練されたものがあります。
今回夫婦で参加したため、子供たちもみんな連れてこの特別な時間を過ごせたらと想像した程素晴らしい時間を過ごす事が出来ました。
是非また参加したいです。
T.K

サンセットクルーズは何度か参加しましたが、
ホノルル号でのサンセットクルーズははじめてでした。
平日という事もあってか、真ん中の席は全て空いていて、景色が見える窓際に案内されました。
雰囲気もとても良く、来てるお客さまも真っ赤なドレスなど一流の雰囲気を醸し出され、空間に華を添えています。
コース料理も前菜チーズ盛合わせ、サラダ（ロブスター付き）、一度シャーベットを挟み、
厚切りローストビーフにトリュフ入りマッシュポテト、チーズケーキとコーヒーでした。
どれも本当に美味しくて流石5Aだなと感じました。
生演奏ライブもあって大満足のディナークルーズでした。
S.K

Would do this again and again, great Friday night activity!

The event began on time with a glass of champagne. I must admit that the food was better than expected. The staff waited to serve each course until we were at the table, as we often went out to take air between courses and take pictures. Would recommend to anyone looking for a short dinner cruise with romantic/relaxing ambiance.

[Reviewed by HawaiiActivities.com Staff]

Nova Five Star package should be renamed to, 'Ten Star.' The reason being this package was over the top elegant, professional, and accommodating. Each table had their own charcuterie board, which was perfect snack to get the evening started.

The meal was served in an order that was so unique. I had never had sorbet in the middle of a meal, and I'm still dreaming of the texture and flavor. The presentation/ quality of food was very impressive. Each course amazed me more and more!

The music throughout the meal was so relaxing, and set the mood for a delightful evening. If you are looking for an intimate evening with your loved one, this is the package for you!

Mahalo to SOH for going the extra mile to create a magical space!

[Reviewed by HawaiiActivities.com Staff]

We did the dinner cruise with the Nova Five Star on the 4th deck of the boat and it was a treat and we really had a great time. Their table set up at the Super Nova Room was so beautiful, clean, so organized, and elegant! We had our own private table seating next to the window and we enjoyed the night view even without having to explore the boat.

We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious dinner. The steak was exceptionally tender, and the fresh fruit sorbet was our favorite. The servers provided excellent service as well, and the entertainment complemented the rainy weather, creating a more relaxing atmosphere.

Anyone looking for a romantic celebration on Valentine's Day, Anniversary, or any special occasion, the NOVA Five Star aboard the Star of Honolulu is an ideal choice.

For those seeking for a smaller crowd and more privacy, I would recommend booking the Nova Five Star cruise on Thursdays as it is not as busy as on the weekends.

This was my husband and I's first time whale watching and first time in Hawaii. We were welcomed aboard the Star of Honolulu by friendly crew members. The boat experience alone was great. The education we obtained from the tour was helpful because although, we didn't see a whale breach that day, we were able to spot one the next couple of days with the information that we obtained from the tour. Definitely would recommend this tour to family and friends!

It was a windy day, so perhaps due to that, the boat rocked quite a bit. With the wind and the cold, I think it's better to have a jacket. I didn't get seasick, possibly because the motion sickness medication worked for me, but I saw several people looking unwell, so I recommend taking the medication.

Unfortunately, I didn't see any whales until the end, but I will try to think of it as having enjoyed the cruising experience. However, it was mentioned that if we didn't see any whales, we would receive a ticket for a future ride, but I didn't receive one. There weren't any other available dates for me, so it's not a big deal if I don't get one, but just for your reference.

風の強い日でしたので、その影響もあるのか船はかなり揺れました。
風もあり寒いので上着があった方がいいと思います。私は酔い止め薬が効いたのか、船酔いはしませんでしたが気分が悪そうにしている人を何人か見かけたので薬は飲んでおいた方がいいかと思います。
肝心のクジラは最後まで見えなくて残念でしたがクルージングを楽しんだと思うことにします。
ただ、見れなかったときは次回乗れる券がもらえるようなことが書いてありましたが、もらえませんでした。日程的に他に空いてる日はなかったので、別にもらえなくてもいいのですが、参考まで。