NCL Ratings and Reviews
Top-Rated
Browse destinations at NCL
Kauai or
Choose a destination
- Alanya
- Alesund
- Alexandria
- Antigua
- Arrecife (Lanzarote)
- Aruba
- Ashdod
- Astoria
- Athens (Piraeus)
- Baltimore
- Bar Harbor
- Barbados
- Barcelona
- Belize City
- Bergen
- Berlin (Warnemuende)
- Boston
- Cabo San Lucas
- Cannes
- Cartagena
- Charleston
- Charlottetown
- Copenhagen
- Corfu
- Corner Brook
- Costa Maya
- Cozumel
- Curacao
- Daylight Transit Panama Canal
- Destinations
- Dominica
- Dublin
- Dubrovnik
- Ephesus (Izmir)
- Falmouth
- Florence/Pisa (Livorno)
- Freestyle Connect
- Funchal
- Gaspésie
- Glasgow (Greenock)
- Granada (Malaga)
- Grand Bahama Island
- Grand Cayman
- Great Stirrup Cay
- Haifa
- Halifax
- Helsinki
- Hilo
- Honolulu
- Huatulco
- Icy Strait Point Bay
- Istanbul
- Juneau
- Katakolon
- Kauai
- Ketchikan
- Key West
- King's Wharf
- Kona
- Koper
- La Baie
- Lerwick, Shetland Islands
- Limassol
- Lisbon
- London (Dover)
- London (Southampton)
- Los Angeles
- Marseille
- Maui (Kahului)
- Mazatlan
- Mbj
- Messina
- Miami
- Misc Categories
- MyNcl
- Mykonos
- Nanaimo
- Naples
- Nassau
- New Orleans
- New York City
- Newport
- Norfolk
- Ocho Rios
- Onboard Activities
- Orlando & Beaches (Port Canaveral), Florida
- Oslo
- Palma
- Ponta Delgada
- Port Said
- Portland
- Provence (Toulon)
- Puerto Chiapas
- Puerto Quetzal
- Puerto Vallarta
- Puntarenas
- Quebec City
- Reykjavik
- Roatan
- Rome (Civitavecchia)
- Rotterdam
- Saint John (Bay Of Fundy)
- Samana
- San Francisco
Product Reviews
Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
If you only experience one thing in Hawaii, make sure you don't miss this spectacular extravaganza. Graceful Hula dancers, fire poi ball twirlers, traditional fire knife dancing and a vivid storyteller come together for this once-in-a-lifetime authentic experience. It's all happening in the historic sugar plantation of Kilohana. You'll even get to gather around an imu pit. Trust us, you've never seen a pig roasting like this before. And the buffet of local delicacies and desserts is so lavish; you'd think that was the show. It's a real feast for your eyes and your belly.
Note: Must be at least 21 years of age and provide a valid ID to consume alcohol. Participants between the ages of 3 and 17 years of age will be charged the child rate. Price reflected on NCL.com is inclusive of the $10 Pre-book savings.
Average:
(20 Reviews) 20
Rating Snapshot (20 reviews)
5 stars
6
4 stars
6
3 stars
6
2 stars
1
1 star
1
16 of 20(80%)customers would recommend this to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Review 1 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
1
out of
5
Adventurous:
1
out of
5
Family Oriented:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
Deubie
Location:Kinnelon, NJ
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:April
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Nawiliwili, Kauai
Date:May 7, 2013
Not what we expected!!
This is not what we expected from a luau, it was primarily a show in a large building with 600+ people. The food was the biggest disappointment, it was buffet style and nothing special. I definitely would not recommend this excursion, try to find another luau with a smaller group and a menu of more traditional Hawaiian food.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 2 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
Ganna
Location:Bethlehem, Georgia
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:April
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Educational
Favorite port:Nawiliwili, Kauai
I want to go here next:Europe
Date:May 1, 2013
Wonderful Experience
Everything about the Luau was exactly as advertised. Yes, it was crowded. Yes, there was a long wait to get on the bus back to the ship. However, those things did not change our opinion of the excursion at all! The food was very good, drinks were also, and the entertainment was wonderful. We also enjoyed seeing the different crafts and activities before the luau actually started. It is worth the money.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 3 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
4
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
Alien
Location:Atlanta, GA
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:December
Favorite activities:Adventure
I want to go here next:Alaska
Date:December 15, 2012
Can't do Hawaii without it
A first time trip to Hawaii would not be complete without a Luau. It is held on the historic Kilohana Plantation, and included an open bar, an Imu Ceremony, an incredible buffet of Hawaiian specialties, and concluded with an entertaining show of Hula dancers and fire poi ball twirlers. The venue was large and held something like 600 people, so there was a bit of a wait to get through the buffet, but all in all, the entire thing is managed very well.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 4 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
3
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
4
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
Redbeard
Location:Bakersfield, CA
Party size:4
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:October
Date:November 3, 2012
Food was not that great, but show was very good. Dancers and fire part of show were the highlight of the evening.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 5 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
4
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
tgrfootballgrl
Location:Charlotte, NC
Party size:7
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:October
Date:October 19, 2012
Awesome!
This luau was wonderful! We did the Plantation Train Ride and Luau. The train ride takes you around to see the grounds. Even though it was pretty, we would have much rather looked around at all the vendors.
From previous reviews, I was expecting the food at the luau to be horrible, but it was actually quite tasty! I tried a little bit of everything and it was all good.
Our table was 1 row back from the stage. We could see everything, the show itself is great! A lady in our group said it was the best show she has ever seen.
Only complaint, the buses afterwards for pickup. I understand they time them so customs doesn't get jammed up but we had 6 60 year olds in our group and 2 of them need knee replacements.... We stood around for 45 mins waiting on a bus..... and it was HOT! If you want to get back quickly, ask for a table back under the fans.. that's where the buses pick you up.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 6 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
dagim
Location:Cambridge Ontario Canada
Date:October 8, 2012
Much better than the reviews posted
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
After reading all the reviews before our cruise, we were very reluctant to book this excursion and waited till the last minute. I am so glad we did. The venue was amazing, food was definitely better than I anticipated...( of course it is the food of the island and part of the experience) I heard about all this wait time and did not experience this. The show is definitely a must see. It was a very enjoyable evening
24 of 24 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 7 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
3
out of
5
Adventurous:
2
out of
5
Family Oriented:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
1Macaronisalad
Location:New Jersey shore
Party size:8
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:September
Favorite activities:Educational
Favorite port:Hilo, Hawaii
I want to go here next:Alaska
Date:October 6, 2012
Show was great, luau not so much
Please don't waste your money on this meal. When the buffet line began w/macaroni salad, I knew we'd been had.
This was not Hawaiian fare, just a cheap imitation. One bus driver said true Hawaiian food takes too long to prepare to have it at the luau. Then why call it a luau!
The show and dancers were worth seeing.
This was not Hawaiian fare, just a cheap imitation. One bus driver said true Hawaiian food takes too long to prepare to have it at the luau. Then why call it a luau!
The show and dancers were worth seeing.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 8 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
2
out of
5
Adventurous:
1
out of
5
Family Oriented:
2
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
1
out of
5
barbara100
Date:June 4, 2012
not worth money
The show was great but the food awful. Site not great- more like a huge hall.about 600 people. I would not recommend.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 9 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
3
out of
5
Adventurous:
2
out of
5
Family Oriented:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
honesty
Date:May 7, 2012
Disappointing Luau
The entertainment was very good, the food was AWFUL. It was served as a banquet style buffet for over 600 people. The selections were disappointing starting with a macaroni salad and going downhill from there, definitely not worth the money.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 10 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
Adventurous:
2
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
MTCanuk
Location:Great Falls, MT
Party size:1
I traveled with:Family
Date:April 13, 2012
A Must
This excursion is a must if you want to experience the cultural aspect of the Islands.
My husband loves trains, so appreciated the train ride. The crafts that are sold prior to the show were some of the most beautiful I saw on my trip and I spent $$$ there for souvenir. Saw what I wanted there when I couldn't find anything else. The food was OK and enjoyed the drinks. But the show--oh, my, it was spectacular. Especially the fire dancers. If you do nothing else, go to this and upgrade your seats.
My husband loves trains, so appreciated the train ride. The crafts that are sold prior to the show were some of the most beautiful I saw on my trip and I spent $$$ there for souvenir. Saw what I wanted there when I couldn't find anything else. The food was OK and enjoyed the drinks. But the show--oh, my, it was spectacular. Especially the fire dancers. If you do nothing else, go to this and upgrade your seats.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 11 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
4
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
mountaineer
Location:ALBERTA CANADA
Party size:4
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:February
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Kona, Hawaii
I want to go here next:Panama Canal
Date:March 9, 2012
not much for your dollar
if we had seen this first it might have been ok but we saw polynesian culture centre first and there was no comparison
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 12 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
Adventurous:
2
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
graslick
Location:Boyertown PA
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:September
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Nawiliwili, Kauai
I want to go here next:Caribbean
Date:October 4, 2011
A Must See in Kauai
If you do nothing else, if you take advantage of no other excursions, you will not want to miss this luau! The show was absolutely fantastic. It will enhance our memories of Hawaii and our cruise forever. In a word, it is magical. Kids would even love it. The food was good and well prepared (don't miss the pork! Wow. Yummy.) Open bar was a bonus, too. I enjoyed Blue Hawaii and Mai Tai and my husband enjoyed the beer. The photos they took of us were lovely. I enjoyed the pre-show shopping, too. Unfortunately, we missed the train ride, so get in line for that right away so you won't be disappointed.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 13 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
4
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
4
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
emmaretto
Location:chicago
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Year:2011
Date:September 25, 2011
We enjoyed this Luau The grounds were so pretty and the tables surrounding the stage were a great set up. The costumes, design and fire throwers were excellent. We were a little disappointed in the food. It was not very tasty and not much of an option. Dessert and coffee were put out and yet if you blinked you would have missed it-they took it away pretty quicky.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 14 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
4
out of
5
Adventurous:
2
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
nyhoneymooners
Location:New York
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:July
Cruise Date Year:2011
Date:July 27, 2011
Only one offered
I would recommend this because it is the only one offered by the cruiseline, and you obvioulsy want to experience a Luau if you are traveling to Hawaii...however it is a bit over priced for the pulled pork and hot, packed seating area. We paid extra for better seating...it was nice to be closer but the fans are in the farther away room. Also, the bar checks ID, selectively, so make sure to bring it or they will make you wait in line all over again. And again to get your spouse a drink. The show was good, especially the fire dancers. as were the desserts and cute little vendors set up outside.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 15 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
Muddy1125
Date:July 27, 2011
Luau
Food only ok. Entertainment was excellent, with beautiful dancers and music. Totally worth seeing.
But be prepared to spend an hour waiting for the bus to take you back to the ship .... standing in line with people pushing and shoving
But be prepared to spend an hour waiting for the bus to take you back to the ship .... standing in line with people pushing and shoving
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 16 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
4
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
Sillygirl
Location:Kansas
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:June
Cruise Date Year:2011
Date:July 5, 2011
Nice Experience
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
The plantation grounds were beautiful. There were many native vendors before the show started. Their crafts were absolutely remarkable-take money, these are the best (and most authentic) souvenirs you will find the whole trip. The drinks were fine and plentiful. There is a bar that you can get what you want rather than the premade Blue Hawaiian or Mai Tai. The food was all right...nothing special. But the show was spectacular. The storyline, the dancing, the overall experience was very rewarding. The cast posed for pictures afterwards. Yes, there are long lines for the bus, so just sit down, relax, and listen to the music. There is no need to stand in line!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 17 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
4
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
kmccr8
Location:St. Louis, MO
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:March
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Kona, Hawaii
I want to go here next:Europe
Date:June 24, 2011
Great Time
The luau was super fun. More of a broadway type show than Luau. But still had the fun of hula dancers and fire spinners. Food was just ok, nothing extrordinary. We had fantastic seats in the back raised platform where we could see everything. Long lines for the buses going back to the ship but the band kept playing so we were entertained. Be sure to check out the grounds.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 18 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
5
out of
5
Adventurous:
4
out of
5
Family Oriented:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
Cymberle
Location:San Antonio, TX
Party size:more
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:June
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Family oriented
Favorite port:Nawiliwili, Kauai
I want to go here next:Hawaii
Date:June 22, 2011
Wonderful Experience
I attended this luau with 17 family members. We upgraded to the premier gold seating and the view was fantastic. Eveyone in the family was raving about the show afterwards. The food was very decent. The bar serves unlimited mai tais and some great fruit juices. The only downside was the bus loading afterwards due to the sheer number of passengers (I think they said 900) that attended. Everything was just relaxing and wonderful. I'm so glad we decided to go.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 19 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
3
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
shcruzin
Location:Alabaster, AL
Party size:6
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:May
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Date:June 3, 2011
STILL HUNGRY
The SHOW and DRINKS (not watered-down) were GOOD but the food was NOT. Our younger participants (20 yr. olds) had to eat again when we returned to the ship. They also need to have more buses lined-up when it is over to lessen the wait to return to ship. At the end the cast are very nice to pose for pictures if you like.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 20 for Luau Kalamaku: Pre-book & Save $10
Overall:
Fun:
3
out of
5
Adventurous:
3
out of
5
Family Oriented:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
NatT
Location:NY
Party size:3
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:May
Cruise Date Year:2011
Date:June 1, 2011
Luau
Just Ok!
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
