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Love our Aloha state? Stay in touch with Star of Honolulu®! Our travel blog features Star of Honolulu news, specials and holiday offerings as well as fun things to do around Hawaii, our favorite Hawaiian recipes, and interesting features about Hawaiian history and culture!

Make for a Memorable Mother’s Day Aboard the Star of Honolulu

4月 15, 2016

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Make mom’s day extra special by treating her to a day out at sea with the Star of Honolulu’s Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch cruise. Aboard the Star of Honolulu, moms will be pampered with a delicious brunch buffet, breathtaking ocean views, live Hawaiian entertainment and prize giveaways just for mothers.

Throughout the cruise, mom and her guests will enjoy a “champagne” toast to commence an afternoon of lei making, hula lessons and exciting door prizes. The whole family will also indulge in the “Taste of Hawaii” buffet featuring local favorites like Hawaiian black sea salt roast beef, teriyaki chicken, lomilomi salmon, a special Mother’s Day cake and more!

Show your appreciation for the hardworking mom in your life and plan your Mother’s Day voyage today! The family-friendly cruise departs from Pier 8 at Aloha Tower Marketplace on Sunday, May 8 at 12:00 p.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation today, visit www.StarofHonolulu.com or call (808) 983-STAR (7827).

Make your Easter egg-stra special aboard the Star of Honolulu

3月 4, 2016

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Hop on board the Star of Honolulu for our annual Easter Champagne Brunch cruise. Invite the entire family to celebrate Easter with spectacular whale watching, a delicious local buffet and kid-friendly activities.

Savor a “taste of Hawaii” by dining on an assortment of delicious local favorites like Hawaiian black sea salt roast beef and homemade desserts. Our cruise has something for the whole family: kids will get to participate in an egg-citing Easter egg hunt with prize giveaways and adults will enjoy a “champagne” toast. Best of all, families will enjoy the spectacular sights of humpback whales at the end of whale watching season!

Have a “hoppy” Easter and plan your holiday voyage today! The cruise departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, and returns at 2:30 p.m. For more information or to book a cruise now, call (808) 983-Star (7827) or visit www.StarofHonolulu.com.

Tips for the Best Sightings During Whale Watching Season

1月 21, 2016

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Each year, the great Humpback whales travel over 4,500 miles from their summer feeding grounds of Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii. Our team loves welcoming our underwater friends for their annual vacation, and we invite everyone to spot them aboard the Star of Honolulu. Before you join us for your next adventure, here are a few tips to help you enjoy a remarkable whale encounter:

  • Always respect their space by participating in responsible whale watching activities. Current guidelines require us to remain at least 100 years from Humpback whales as a way to respect their environment and maintain their safety.
  • Bring your binoculars! Because you may be spotting them from a distance, packing a pair of binoculars will allow you to observe them from a safe, recommended viewing distance.
  • Get your cameras ready. When joining us on either our Early Bird Whale Watch or Premier Whale Watch cruise, you will have many opportunities to snap photos of these majestic creatures. Make sure to use a fast shutter speed to keep images clear and have your zoom lens on to be prepared to take some breathtaking photos!

So what are you waiting for? Climb aboard and enjoy Hawaii’s most popular whale watching cruise happening now through April 15, 2016! For more information or to book a cruise today, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit www.StarofHonolulu.com.

Host Your Next Corporate Celebration Aboard the Star of Honolulu!

8月 31, 2015

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With summer wrapping up, the holidays will be here before you know it. If you’re on the hunt for a new or unique venue for your company holiday party, then look no further than the Star of Honolulu! Our exciting packages offer guests a variety of gourmet dining options and spectacular entertainment complete in your own private lounge or ballroom with breathtaking views of the Waikiki coast. There’s something for everyone aboard the Star of Honolulu!

Also, ask about our private parties located at our sister company, Rock-A-Hula. Entertain your employees with a concert quality show featuring Polynesian music, hula and fire-knife dancing, alongside performances of superstars past and present at the Royal Hawaiian Theater. Pre-show gourmet dining options also available.

Kama’aina rates are available with valid Hawaii I.D.; plus, book before October 1, 2015, and receive 10% off! Be sure to ask about our special Repeater Bonus if you’ve previously held private parties on the Star of Honolulu or at Rock-A-Hula. It’ll be an evening of fun, entertainment and memories your employees won’t forget! For more package details or information, please contact our Private Parties & Events Department at (808) 983-7884 or (808) 983-7827.

Star of Honolulu is Making Waves on TripAdvisor

7月 29, 2015

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A huge mahalo goes out to our guests who have cruised with us and taken the time to write a review on TripAdvisor. Thanks to your positive words, TripAdvisor has presented Star of Honolulu with the 2015 Certificate of Excellence. This distinction is awarded to accommodations, attractions and eateries that consistently receive outstanding traveler reviews on the TripAdvisor website.

Our staff at Star of Honolulu hopes you enjoy our dinner cruises and live entertainment as much as we enjoy serving you. We look forward to your next cruise with us.

Spring Has Sprung Onboard the Star of Honolulu

6月 11, 2015

Showcasing spring’s freshest and finest ingredients, Chefs de Cuisine Norman Soderberg and Kevin Carvalho have assembled a seven-course, Spring-inspired menu to serve aboard our signature Five Star Sunset Dining & Jazz Cruise from April through June.

The innovative, yet classic French style feast includes:

A selection of Spring canapés, served butler-style,
with a Hawaiian Bellini

Refreshing Spring “Peas and Carrots” Soup
with a Hint of Mint

Fresh Garden Vegetable Salad
with Waimanalo Microgreens and Hickory Smoked Salmon “Roses,”
with Housemade Cucumber Aioli

Live Maine Lobster
atop a Golden Saffron Risotto Cake with Kahuku Sea Asparagus
and a Citrus Vanilla Beurre Blanc

Lemon Basil Sorbet Intermezzo
with Candied Lemon and Lime Zest

Prime Tenderloin of Beef
atop a Truffle Potato Cloud with a delicate Quail Egg,
Wilted Swiss Chard, Prosciutto Lardon Salad, and Porcini Cream Demi-Glace

Sweet, Tangy Lemon Cake
with a Strawberry Balsamic Sorbet

Picture of Spring Menu items.

Guests will dine in a relaxing and refined atmosphere, accompanied by live jazz music and breathtaking views of the sunset along the coastline through wrap-around windows. Cruise-goers preferring to dine with us on Friday evenings will be treated to a dazzling and vibrant show of the Waikiki fireworks.

Departing nightly from Pier 8 at Aloha Tower, our Five Star Sunset Dining & Jazz Cruise begins with the Captain’s welcome reception at 4:45pm and returns at 8pm; 8:30pm on Fridays. Please inquire for special menu substitutions when making reservations. To make reservations call (808) 983-STAR (7827).

 

Cruise With the Star of Honolulu This Independence Day

6月 3, 2015

Watch the fireworks and dine in style this 4th of July aboard the Star of Honolulu’s Independence Day Cruise. Don’t worry about getting to Ala Moana hours early to save your family a spot on the beach; you’ll have guaranteed front row seats for the spectacular fireworks show from one of the Star of Honolulu’s four spacious decks.

With a variety of dining options, there’s something for everyone. The Admiral’s Sunset Dinner package begins with a Hawaiian Bellini at the exclusive Captain’s welcome reception on the top deck, accompanied by live Hawaiian music and a hula performance. Enjoy Star’s 7-course, summer inspired, French style dinner served to your private table in the Super Nova Room. Other packages offered include the Celebration Sunset Dinner and Star Sunset Dinner.

Our Independence Day cruise aboard the Star vessel departs on Saturday, July 4, at 6:15 p.m. from Aloha Tower and returns at 9:15 p.m. following the fireworks display. Dining packages start at starting from $148 for adults and $104 for children. Reserve your seats early as these popular cruises sell out fast.

Book your seats today!

4th of July fireworks and cruise boat.

Show Dad Just How Special He Is With our Father’s Day Cruise

5月 29, 2015

Trying to think of the ultimate Father’s Day gift? Look no further! Treat Dad to a fun, tropical evening aboard the Star of Honolulu with our Pacific Star Sunset Buffet & Show. Cruising aboard Hawaii’s largest, award-winning, 1,500 passenger vessel, Dad and the whole family can expect the smoothest sailing and best views of the alluring sunset colors.

Start the evening with a pier-side welcome hula performance, followed by live, relaxing Hawaiian music upon departure. Enjoy a buffet of island favorites from roast beef carved onboard to a delectable variety of desserts including Hawaii’s own coconut cake, beverages including Star’s Signature Mai Tais and a free beverage of choice for Dad. The entertainment continues with our captivating “Polynesian Journey” show and strolling musicians for personal requests. Add a special touch to your Father’s Day celebration and request an exclusive song just for Dad!

Our Father’s Day cruise on Sunday, June 21, departs from Pier 8 at Aloha Tower Marketplace with the pier-side welcome hula beginning at 4:45 p.m. and returns at 7:30 p.m. The Pacific Star Sunset Buffet & Show package is available at $86 for adults and $52 for children.

Book your cruise today!

Picture of Father's Day cruise food.

 

Star of Honolulu Captain Wins National Safety Award

3月 31, 2015

The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) has honored Star of Honolulu’s Chief Captain and Vessel Security Officer Wade Matsueda as the recipient of the 2015 Roger Murphy National Maritime Safety Award. This award recognizes deserving individuals for demonstrating safety in the marine environment and contributing to the safety of their company and the passenger vessel industry. Captain Matsueda was recognized by the PVA’s Safe and Security Committee for his “efforts to improve the safety of recreational divers through the creation of a safety manual and voluntary standards for dive vessel operations, which has had an immediate positive impact on the Hawaiian recreational diving fleet.”

Commandant of the United States Coast Guard Admiral Paul F. Zukunft presented Captain Matsueda the award in February at the PVA’s annual convention in Long Beach, California. The entire Star of Honolulu ‘ohana is extremely proud of Captain Matsueda’s achievement and admire his dedication to going above and beyond to enhance safety in our industry. Way to go, Captain!

Captain Accepting Award

Can you hear me now?

1月 16, 2015

A humpback’s song can be heard from over 12 miles away. Sound can travel about 4.3 times further underwater than in air.