Reviewed by: koun
It 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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| Packages: | Friday Fireworks Sail 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/05/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/08 |
Reviewed by: Jewels
Operating 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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| Packages: | Friday Sunset & Fireworks Sail |
| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/05/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/08 |
Reviewed by: Henry Le
Upon 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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/05/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/30 |
Reviewed by: Ms. Ems
It's my 3rd time with Star of Honolulu and they never fail to amaze me!
I was greeted with a beautiful smile by Kathleen at the ticket office. She was very nice, friendly, and it seems like she was enjoying her job. Before we boarded, the dancers are always very entertaining, a unique way to welcome their guests (yes, I've been to other dinner cruises and only Star of Honolulu has this great idea).
At the boat, here comes the cheerful and very energetic Freddie, who took us to our table. He didn't realize there were eight (8) of us but he was able to accommodate us right away having our own table by the window! He is the Assistant Floor Manager and I was really impressed with his friendliness and bright personality, he is funny too! The couples that we were with are visitors from Canada, celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary. I forgot to mention this special occasion when I made the booking so I told Freddie if there’s a way he can announce it after dinner. Knowing how busy they were, I never expected it to happen but I was extremely happy and grateful that he didn't forget. After the Polynesian entertainment, he immediately pulled my couple family towards the stage to make their dance. All the other couples, honeymooners, anniversary celebrants, followed. It was an honor!! Thank you so much Freddie for that, it was a memory of a lifetime for my family.
I would also like to give credit to Jay, who was our server that night, in fact all the crew members because they know how to take care of their guests, they're fast and attentive! The One Star package is not bad at all, I actually like this better than the Three Star believe it or not and IT'S ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB LEGS!! Yummy! The steak was delicious also, so tender and juicy!
Will definitely cruise with Star of Honolu again and again! True "Aloha" spirit..good impression for those visiting the islands for the first time...greatly satisfied with the services they offer. Thumbs up SOH!!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/05/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/21 |
Reviewed by: JANICE ferriss
I have done dinner cruise before in Honolulu many times. This time was the best ever experience. From time arrived at dock until returned to hotel was amazing . Everyone was friendly, food good, service amazing.
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| Packages: | Standard Package |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/05/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/26 |
Reviewed by: Craig Stempowicz
The 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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/25 |
Reviewed by: K and B New Zealand
# couple booked but we ended up going as 2 1/2 couple3s as one was sick. Great atmosphere interaction was supurb from the multi national public all guided by a great host. Buffet dinner was excellent and then the show topped it off for a great evening awesome value for money here.
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| Packages: | Pacific Star Dinner Buffet, Polynesian Show & One Cocktail |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/19 |
Reviewed by: Richardh1953
Third time on my dinner cruise - it was excellent!!!!
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| Packages: | Nova Five Star: Steak & Lobster, Private Table, Drinks & Entertainment |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/18 |
Reviewed by: Dustin
My 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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| Packages: | Friday Fireworks Sail 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/17 |
Reviewed by: Derek S.
I 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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| Packages: | Friday Fireworks Sail 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/17 |
Reviewed by: Justin
My 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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| Packages: | Friday Fireworks Sail 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/03 |
Reviewed by: Janine Batley
This 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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| Packages: | Friday Fireworks Sail 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/04/03 |
Reviewed by: Stephen
We didn't get up to Diamond Head as announced as we had to head back to port for a health emergency with one of the crew.
Otherwise food was great and atmosphere fantastic!
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| Packages: | Pacific Star Dinner Buffet, Polynesian Show & One Cocktail |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/04/04 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/14 |
Reviewed by: Gail
This dinner cruise was truly spectacular. We checked in and seemed to be upgraded from the roast beef dinner to the steak and crab dinner. Love it! We were seated at an intimate table for two on the side of the stage and were able to start eating while the rest of the guests were seated with efficiency. It didn't take long for us to be on our way and dinner was served. The steak was medium rare and delicious and the crab (if not a little cold) was wonderful. Entertainment was superb! We enjoyed the beautiful sunset and even spotted a few whales in the distance and enjoyed the Polynesian entertainment. We were able to stroll all decks and since the 2nd deck was not occupied enjoyed a quiet moment before returning to the dock. Enjoyed every minute.
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| Packages: | Pacific Star Dinner Buffet, Polynesian Show & One Cocktail |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/03/31 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/28 |
Reviewed by: Brad
There 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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/03/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/22 |
Reviewed by: Shea
It was a good fun thing to do as a family. My only complaint was we were to be released by tables for the food but apparently the Japan folks didn't get that and we ended up having to wait a long time. The ship was clean and the staff we nice.
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| Packages: | Pacific Star Dinner Buffet, Polynesian Show & One Cocktail |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/03/25 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/22 |
Reviewed by: Aidan
Being 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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/03/23 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/22 |
Reviewed by: Ms. Kitty
My friends and I were finally able to get together on Oahu, and we knew that we wanted to spend it out on the water. This cruise was the perfect choice since we got to snorkel at TWO spots (both filled with fish, coral, urchins, etc.), sipped on cocktails, devoured plates and plates of food, watched the sunset AND got to see whales! We literally couldn't ask for more!
After leaving the harbor, we headed out to the first snorkel spot and got the first glimpse of whales and after we got out of the water (which was really warm by the way), we saw even MORE whales!
The food was really hearty and filling (pulled pork, teriyaki chicken, a really tasty pasta salad, white rice, veggies and fruit) and the crew kept all of our drinks topped up :)
Really happy that we got to go on this cruise, and can't wait to go again on my next visit!
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2015/03/18 |
Reviewed by: Viv
great meal & entertainment
beautiful sunset & Friday Hilton fireworks
would recommend this to Hawaii travelers
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/03/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/02/27 |
Reviewed by: elton
Loved it. Kids lived it the entertainment was fun and the crab was endless.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2015/02/21 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/02/20 |
Reviewed by: Kelly Prater
The dinner cruise was amazing and even though we had over cast of Vog and spinkles all day we still captured a beautiful sunset from the ships deck. The food was delicious and staff was wonderful - would highly recommend
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| Packages: | Standard Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/02/16 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/01/23 |
Reviewed by: AMAM
We liked this. There were very few food options. The crew were friendly and the view stunning.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Pacific Star Dinner Buffet, Polynesian Show & One Cocktail |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/02/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/02/12 |
Reviewed by: Gary
Should have offered a soda with dinner. The complimentary Mai tai was nice.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/02/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2015/02/12 |
Reviewed by: Mary & Ted Brown
We had a wonderful time, very entertaining! Would recommend to others.
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| Packages: | Standard Package |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/01/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/27 |
Reviewed by: Mike
We had a fantastic time and a great meal. The entertainment was also great. I would recommend this to anyone - couples or famalies.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Pacific Star Dinner Buffet, Polynesian Show & One Cocktail |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/01/07 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/09/24 |
Reviewed by: Alex
I 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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2015/01/06 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/31 |
Reviewed by: dolphin
We 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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/01/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/30 |
Reviewed by: dolphin
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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| Packages: | Standard Package 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2015/01/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/30 |
Reviewed by: Tina
We 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.
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | Friday Sunset & Fireworks Sail |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2014/12/30 |
| Activity Date: | 2014/12/26 |
Reviewed by: pamela teague
Well worth the money. I love the food. Everybody was very courtious and helped every way they could. All the staff was so helpful to us. My fiance is in wheelchair and they helped in every possible way. We got to have captain help us up to top floor to see fireworks. What an experience I couldn't tell u anything bad about this. They let u smoke on top of ship which is a good nerve helper. I would totally do it again
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2014/12/29 |
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