FAQs
Star of Honolulu FAQs - Quick Answers for Your Cruise
Planning a Star of Honolulu Cruise? Find fast, clear answers to common questions about boarding, dining, schedules, transportation, accessibility, and policies. Whether you’re joining a sunset dinner cruise or whale watching adventure, or private event, this FAQ will help you cruise with confidence.
For All Guests
The Star of Honolulu® is located 15 minutes from Waikiki, at the Pier 8, Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu Hawaii, 96813. Find us on Google Maps.
Parking may be found at the facilities below. Parking facilities are not owned and operated by Star of Honolulu® and subject to change without notice. Please inquire at the parking facilities for their current rates.
1. Piers 5 and 6
2. Topa Financial Center
3. Pacific Guardian Center
4. Harbor Court
5. Harbor Square
Visit our Directions & Parking page for more information.
Yes. Round-trip motorcoach transportation is available from major Waikiki hotels for a nominal fee. Click here for Transportation & Pick-Up Locations.
For dinner cruises, we recommend resort elegant or casual. Short pants and flip flops are not recommended. On cooler nights a light jacket is recommended. For our daytime whale watch cruise, casual attire and shorts are fine. We also recommend comfortable shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Book a cruise online anytime! Upon requesting your cruise online, your credit card will be charged. Within 24 hours, you will receive a reply from Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events confirming your cruise if the date requested is available, or you will be contacted by a reservationist. If we are unable to accommodate your party on another date, a full refund is provided. You may also make a reservation by calling 808-983-7730 from 7:00AM to 8:00PM Hawaii Standard time.
Cancellations or changes for parties of 1-9 guests may be made up to 24 hours prior to your cruise departure, without charge. Cancellations made within 24 hours or “no showing” on your cruise date will result in a full charge. To cancel or make changes to your reservation, please call 808-983-7730, using your confirmation number as reference.
We understand plans can change. Here’s how it works:
Payment/Cancellation Policy for 10-29 Guests
- Full Prepayment: is required to confirm your reservation.
- 15 Days Prior: Cancel 15 days or more before your scheduled activity to receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 15 days of the activity will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
- 72 Hours Prior: Cancellations made within 72 hours of the activity or no-show will result in a 100% cancellation fee.
Payment & Cancellation Policy for 30 or More Guests
- 10% Pre-payment per the following schedule is required to confirm your reservation.
- 30 Days Prior: 40% payment is due. Receive a Full Refund if you cancel 30 days or more before your scheduled activity. Cancellations made within 30 days of the activity will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
- 72 Hours Prior: Balance of 50% payment is due. Cancellations made within 72 hours of the activity or no-show will result in a 100% cancellation fee.
Check in 45 minutes prior to your sunset cruise departure.
Returning to Star of Honolulu®? We’re honored. You’ll receive “VIP Card” when you cruise with us. On your next visit, present your card to your server for a special VIP gift!
Special occasions are our specialty. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding or anniversary, you’ll find the perfect enhancement to add a special touch to your cruise. Click here to see our cakes, wines, memory photos and more. To add an enhancement to your reservation, call 808-983-7730 at least 24 hours in advance of your cruise date.
Alternative entrées (fish, chicken or vegan) are available with 24-hours advance notice. For more information, refer to the “Special Diet Information” under the “Menu” section of each cruise. To order an alternative entrée, please call 808-983-7730.
Yes! Child prices are available for our daily whale watch and dinner cruises. We offer a special price for children ages 3-11. Children two and under, sitting on their parent's lap are free of charge.
Sunset times vary. For your convenience, find the sunset time in your menu provided onboard.
Yes, we can arrange exclusive transportation for groups of 30 or more. There’s an additional $5.00 per person fee on top of the standard $20.00 round-trip transportation fee from Waikiki. A usage fee applies for some hotels.
Yes, private events are our specialty. The STAR® is popular for wedding receptions, corporate parties and incentive functions from 20 to over 1,000 guests. With over 65 years of experience, beautiful dining rooms, own commercial kitchen, and the largest cast of entertainers on the ocean, the Star of Honolulu is perfect for your private event. For more information, visit our Private Events page.
Whether it is 4th of July or New Year’s Eve, there’s always something festive happening at the Star of Honolulu®! Click here for more information on our holiday cruises.
Tip is not included and is entirely at the discretion of the guest. If you enjoyed our service, we appreciate your tipping your assigned server. Help us by filling out our comment card or review us on Google or TripAdvisor.
With 24 hours advance notice, you may bring your own cake for a cakeage fee of $32.00 per cake. We’ll provide the utensils, plates and a souvenir cake server. However, candles are not permitted under U.S. Coast Guard regulations. For your convenience, we also provide Lei cakes, please inquire in advance.
Safety is our first priority. The captain may alter the cruise route for the comfort and safety of our guests. In very rare cases, a cruise may be canceled due to severe weather. If this occurs, every attempt will be made to contact you to reschedule your cruise, or you may call 808-983-7730 using your confirmation number as a reference.
Yes. Smoking is permitted outside on the fourth deck after departure.
Yes. The Star of Honolulu is Hawaii’s only ADA compliant ship with boarding ramps, 2 elevators to accommodate wheelchairs. Please advise your reservationist upon making reservations.
The Star of Honolulu®provides panoramic walk-around decks on each floor, along with an observation deck, all serving as ideal spots for viewing the sunset and fireworks.
Yes, we may ask you to present a valid photo ID. Alcoholic beverages may only be served to guests 21 years and older.
Pets are not allowed. We follow the American Disabilities Act guideline for service animals which allows those that are individually trained to do work or perform physical tasks for people with physical or mental disabilities. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as a service animal under the ADA.
To inquire about a lost item, please call 808-983-7730 as soon as possible. We are not responsible for lost or stolen personal property left behind, but we will do our best to locate your lost item.
The Star of Honolulu® is equipped with 3 types of stabilizers and is certified to go beyond Diamond Head to view the beautiful Kahala Gold Coast. For the comfort and safety of our guest the Captain may alter the route depending on weather conditions.
Onboard, ask for complimentary 100% herbal ginger capsules to help settle your stomach. Take these at your own discretion. Don’t hesitate to ask any staff for assistance.
We have a wide selection of enhancements from the most popular Celebration Plan for $37 per person (minimum 2 persons) to selections of wine, champagne, and cakes. Click here for options. To add an enhancement to your reservation, call 808-983-7730 at least 24 hours in advance of your cruise date.
After making your bookings, please call 808-983-7730 to request seating together.
Star of Honolulu guests may now enjoy hassle-free cashless payment transactions. Acceptable forms of payment include Mastercard, Visa, Discover and JCB.
For Whale Watching Guests
With our Whale Guarantee, in the rare case that you do not see a whale, you’ll receive a “Whale Check” to cruise again (transportation optional), until a whale is sighted!
Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Your Early Bird Whale Watching includes delicious homemade Pineapple Banana Bread, Kona Blend Coffee, and Tea. Additional Beverages are available for purchase onboard.
Federal regulations prohibit us from approaching within 100 yards (90m) of a humpback whale. Whales may approach us; we are very careful to avoid injury to whales in such cases.
We offer a $20 flat-rate parking validation for up to 4 hours upon check-in for Whale Watch guests who park at Piers 5 and 6 only. Additional parking (no validation) may be found at the facilities below; please inquire at the parking facilities for their current rates. Parking facilities are not owned and operated by Star of Honolulu and subject to change without notice.
1. Piers 5 and 6 (validation provided)
2. Topa Financial Center
3. Pacific Guardian Center
4. Harbor Court
5. Harbor Square
For Private Events
To learn more about our private event selections, visit our events online. To view our private ballrooms, lounges, and our signature Super Nova Room, view our virtual tours.
Contact our event department at events@starofhonolulu.com to book your private event.
Yes! Use of one cordless microphone is complimentary for private events. Additional microphones are available for an additional charge.
With 10 days advance notice, arrangements may be made for groups to bring their own banners and/or flag for an additional fee. Restrictions apply.
Exclusive round-trip transportation from Waikiki is included in all event packages unless otherwise specified. Additional usage fee applies for some hotels.
Yes! Exclusive dinner package events include your own musician and feature show in your private room.
Yes. Pre-arrangement is required.
We’re sorry. No outside food or beverage is allowed.
Yes, additional drinks may be purchased with credit card and paid at the end of your cruise. For a worry-free event, we recommend pre-arranging this with your event sales manager. You may also pre-arrange bottles of wine and champagne, see our event enhancements.
Click here for Event Terms & Operation.
For private events, prices are per person for 3 years old and up. All guests receive the same meal.
Yes. Alternative entrees are available with pre-arrangement, please inquire.
Yes. Once we receive the final count and your private room is determined, a floor plan will be sent to you.
Gratuity is not included and is at the discretion of the party.
Yes. Pre-arrangement is required, and some restrictions apply; consult with us.
Yes. With prior arrangement, you may arrive as early as 4:00PM.
Yes. Pre-arrangement is required, and some restrictions apply; consult with us.
Yes. Pre-arrangement is required, and some restrictions apply; consult with us.
For Private Wedding Events
Our Nova Five Star Private Receptions are held in the Super Nova Ballroom on the top deck. Three Star Private Receptions are held in a private lounge on either the first or second deck.
Yes! Please coordinate the delivery time with us in advance. A Cakeage Fee is $32 per cake. We provide utensils, plates and a souvenir cake server.
Your wedding ceremony will be held between 3:50PM and 4:30PM prior to the boarding of other guests at 4:45PM.
Absolutely. We have private dinner party packages perfect for 20 guests and up.
No. Please arrive at the ship wearing your wedding dress.
Yes. Please let us know prior to your wedding date.
Yes. Please let us know prior to your wedding date. Please purchase a cruise ticket for your photographer.
No. Please consume all beverages onboard; beverages cannot be taken off the ship due to Hawaii liquor laws.
Yes with prior arrangement. Our private lounges are equipped with flat screens. Please bring your own laptop with HDMI cable.
Yes, we can play it over our sound system if it is provided on an iPhone. Please notify us in advance.
Click here for the Event Terms & Operation.
The ceremony is held at the Observation Deck on the 4th floor. However, the Captain may choose the location based on weather conditions and the size of your party.
Yes. Simply purchase additional dinner cruise tickets for your guests to join in the celebration.