By Vanessa Wolf

Image courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation.

This Fourth of July, several dinner cruises provide more than one reason to “ooh” and “ahh.”

Upside: skip the crowds, the drive and the battle for parking.

Downside: such convenience comes at a price.

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Budget Friendly

Pacific Whale Foundation offers two different cruises this year.

Departing from Ma’alea and Lahaina, respectively, both offer a fully stocked bar, music, food and views from the double-decker catamarans.

The cruise includes all-American favorites like

• Hawaiian barbecue-glazed ribs
• Marinated chicken breast
• Grilled vegetable medley
• Mediterranean pasta salad
• Potato-macaroni salad
• Sliced watermelon
• Triple chocolate brownies

Wash it all down with all-you-can-drink juices, sodas and filtered water.

Guests over 21 years of age will receive three cocktails of their choice including beer, wine and tropical well drinks.

Tickets are $69.95 per adult and $49.95 for children 3-12 years old.

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Hey, Big Spender

The Pride of Maui offers their annual “Fireworks over the Pacific” Fourth of July Cruise aboard their 65’ x 30’ maxi-catamaran.

In addition to live entertainment provided by Mitch Kepa and a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, cocktails and blended drinks, the (we’re sensing a trend here) traditional American menu features

• Guava-glazed BBQ ribs
• Burgers  (veggie burgers available on request)
• Hot dogs
• BBQ chicken
• Southern style cornbread
• Maple bacon baked beans
• Chile lime corn on the cob
• Imported cheese display
• Homemade apple pie and whipped cream
• Red white and blueberry cake

The cruise departs from Ma’alaea Harbor and online booking nets you a $25 savings of $124 per adult and $99 for kids ages 3 to 12.

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The Mac Daddy

If you’ve got the cheddar, the Alii Nui July 4th Royal Feast Dinner Sail includes cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, sodas and juice.

Although the catamaran can hold 100 guests, the event is limited to 36 passengers and complimentary transportation to and from and the harbor is also provided.

The menu starts with

• Fresh island fruits
• Crackers and cheese
• Upcountry veggie crudites with dips

Then, enjoy a dinner buffet consisting of

• Salad bar
• Prawns with cocktail sauce
• California rolls
• Spicy tuna rolls
• Crab cakes with herb aioli
• Caprese skewers
• Scalloped potatoes
• Rice Pilaf
• Guava smoked baby back ribs
• Baked mahi mahi
• Black angus prime rib
• Tiramisu

The cruise is limited to adults only and departs from Ma’alaea.

Tickets are $299 per person.