What would you say about savouring a gourmet meal in the heart of the St. Lawrence River? For an extraordinary culinary experience, come aboard and enjoy the exceptional food and beverage served by AML Cruises! Whether you a meal in the bistro-restaurants or a 3, 5 or 6-course meal in the panoramic dining areas, AML Cruises will surely delight your taste buds.
Dinner Cruise
For nearly 20 years, restauration has been an important part of AML Cruises. From the disco era to modern times, this family-led company has shaped its restaurants to please all types of passengers.
Did you know that the AML Louis Jolliet in Quebec City and the AML Cavalier Maxim in Montreal are the only restaurant boats in Canada, with a complete kitchen on board? There, you can enjoy fine cuisine prepared on board, with fresh ingredients. In Montreal, the journey begins in the Old Port and takes you to Bellerive Park, the port's industrial section, passes under the illuminated Jacques-Cartier Bridge, then heads towards Varennes so you can admire the sunset. The Quebec City cruise begins at Place Royale, passes by Sainte-Foy, under the Quebec Bridge, then cruises towards the Montmorency Falls and Beauport, giving you a magnificent panoramic view of Île d’Orléans meanwhile.
Dinner Cruise with Circus
Come taste the famous AML Cruises cuisine and enjoy a unique experience during the dinner cruise with circus. You will have a magnificent view of Quebec City aboard the boat thanks to the glazed dining rooms. A festive atmosphere awaits you with our entertainment team, DJ and music to get everyone dancing on the outdoor terraces.
You will be dazzled by the performances of circus artists of international calibre. As soon as you set foot on the boat, circus-performer sailors will welcome you aboard. They will amaze you during the evening with their spectacular skills of trapeze, hoop and aerial fabric.
During this cruise, you can either choose a three or five-course meal, a Red Carpet or a Signature package, VIP treatment included! Local Quebec products are showcased. Here is an example of a six-course Red Carpet dinner menu. Beware, reading the menu will make your mouth water!
The gourmet adventure begins with appetizers made with Sept-Iles shrimp confit, mango, cilantro and red curry, lemon yogurt. It is followed by an entree of Canard Goulu's smoked duck, cold creamy lentil soup, goat cheese vegetable quenelle dotted with spices and strawberry salpicon from the Ferme Gosselin.
If you're a fan of seafood, you can choose the 2nd entree featuring scallops from Îles de la Madeleine with a tarragon emulsion and served with a tomato gazpacho from the Saint-Gédéon Region.
For the main dish, you can choose between a salmon with wild mustard, butter seasoned with maple from the Beauce Region, a shoulder of beef brazed with crowberry and cloudberry compote, a tandoori chicken with mushrooms sautéed with spices, mashed chickpeas with clarified butter, a beef tenderloin with salted herbs from the Lower St. Lawrence, reduced juice of white truffle, a vegetarian shepherd’s pie with root vegetable, corn from Neuville, roasted mushroom tempeh, micro shoots and herbs juice.
Savour a platter of divine cheeses before relishing in a dessert that will certainly please everyone with a sweet tooth as it features cider panna cotta from Joe with caramelized honey crisp apples and crispy gingerbread. What an ending!
Dinner and Fireworks Cruise
In Quebec City as well as in Montreal, AML Cruises offers dinner cruises during the fireworks season. The best viewpoint to watch the fireworks, laidback, is on the water, aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim in Montreal or the AML Louis Jolliet in Quebec City. The river offers a spectacular view of the water reflecting the city lights. The musical score of the fireworks is broadcast simultaneously aboard. The Grands Feux Loto-Québec fireworks are a must-see during the summer season.
In the Metropolis, you will fully experience the vibrant atmosphere of Old Montreal. In Quebec City, you will be far away from large crowds and you will be able to admire this impressive show taking place between the shores of Quebec City and Levis.
Food and drinks are available during the fireworks cruise. You can choose between a three or five-course meal, a Red Carpet six-course dinner, unlimited smoked meat plate for only 5 $ or a complete buffet.
Evening Cruise
If you want to party and enjoy a unique summer activity, you must experience an AML evening cruise! Come aboard and admire a breathtaking view of the city, while being able to dance the night away. You can also attend circus performances during the evening. Try the new formula offered: Until 8 PM, thanks to your special wristband, you can enjoy Quebec microbrewery beers selected especially for you.
During the evening, a complete bar service offering a wide variety of cocktails and wine is also available. AML Cruises is proud to showcase Quebec products such as Pur Vodka and the Coureur des bois liquor.
Chef Portraits
Distinction, professionalism and culinary talent, these are the qualities that summarize the work of our chefs. Enjoy the culinary art of the Patrice Massicotte, the AML Louis Jolliet chef or Santino Testani, the Executive Chef on the AML Cavalier Maxim. The two men and their teams offer refined dishes displaying their love of fine cuisine.
Concocted directly on board, the original and high quality dishes have been prepared much to the passengers' delight, for more than 20 years. A unique dining experience directly on the St. Lawrence River awaits you for a corporate or personalized event.
Patrice Massicotte
Patrice Massicotte has over twenty years of experience in the culinary field. Until October 2018, he was the Executive Chef of Nourcy Comptoir et Traiteur. In the early 2000s, he was hired as a chef on a Cirque du Soleil tour that allowed him to travel through a dozen American cities for almost two years. He later became a private Corporate Chef for Guy Laliberté for ten years during which he completed several advanced training courses around the world. In Japan, he learned traditional cooking, in Barcelona molecular cuisine and in Los Angeles he worked with the internationally renowned chef Nobu Matsuhissa, to name a few. Closer to home, he worked with Marie-Chantal Lepage at the Château Bonne Entente, at Café Sirocco, at the former Patrimoine du Château Laurier restaurant as well as the Taverne Grande Allée.
Santino Testani
Having acquired his experience in Canada’s finest kitchens, the journey of the Executive Chef of the AML Cavalier Maxim is quite impressive. Santino Testani stands out with his culinary curiosity and desire to offer customers a unique dining experience. Mr. Testani began his career at the renowned Château Montebello before working in the kitchens of the Hôtel le Saint-Sulpice in Montreal. His journey also took him to Prince Edward Island’s Dalvey by the Sea Resort as well as the Café Méliès on St-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal. The Chef is known by his peers for his passion for gastronomy.
A buffet on board
For a more casual evening you can choose the buffet which includes a variety of hot and cold dishes. This option is available during the Dinner with Circus Cruise as well as the Fireworks Cruise.
The cold buffet includes a variety of salads including quinoa, vegetable, Caesar, penne and the traditional cabbage salad. Local products lovers will be able to enjoy fine charcuterie and terrines, not to mention homemade condiments such as beets, sweet pickles and pearl onions.
Passengers who prefer hot dishes will choose between braised pork knuckle, tasty mac and cheese, vegetarian pilaf rice, all served with lots of vegetables.
Meat lovers will be delighted with delicious smoked meat available at the cutting station. End the meal on a sweet note with tasty desserts which include profiteroles, sugar cream pie, poor man’s pudding, mini cupcakes and seasonal fruits.
Brunch Cruise
The Brunch Cruise will become your favourite Sunday morning activity. It’s the perfect outing to relax with family or friends. Come aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim or the AML Louis Jolliet and admire the beauty of the St. Lawrence River.
It will be the perfect occasion for you to savour a gourmet brunch. Begin you meal with small berries and then let yourself be tempted by an omelette, prepared to your liking, and a slice of tasty ham. Make sure to stop by the chocolate fountain, the sweet attraction that charms all ages.
The brunch cruise aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim begins with a breathtaking view of Old Montreal and stops by the Olympic Stadium, a Montreal emblem. In Quebec City, you will have the chance to observe the luxuriant landscape of Île d’Orléans and the famous Montmorency Falls, whose reputation is worldwide.
The gourmet circuit on the river lasts about 1½ hours. There is no schedule, you can enjoy your brunch as long as you wish and choose the dish you prefer among the many food stations available.
Good news, the AML Brunch Cruise is free for children under 5 years old. Entertainment is provided for the small ones. The Brunch Cruise is also available during the holidays. It’s a fun and original activity for the whole family.
Excursions cruises meals
AML Cruises' vessels offer food and beverage services to tame your hunger. Enjoy lunch with a magnificent view of the St. Lawrence! Menus may differ depending on the ship you are on. Don't worry, you will always find something delicious to delight your taste buds.
Vegetarians as well as carnivores will be delighted with the fresh and affordable menu offered. A nice variety of salads are available in most bistros. Passengers departing from Montreal can choose hot dishes such as: BBQ rib plate, breaded chicken burger, European hotdog with maple sausage, pizza, grated nachos, chicken wings or a chicken club.
If you’re craving a snack, you can enjoy hot stuffed pretzels, naan bread served with grilled vegetables as well as a variety of other small snacks available at the counter.
AML Cruises serves nearly 125 000 meals annually aboard its vessels and welcomes over 550 000 passengers on board. The cuisine aboard the AML Cruises vessels is continually improving thanks to its fine gourmet meals, the unique experience provided and dedicated and innovative chefs.
