Built in 1965 as Aleksandr Pushkin for the Soviet fleet, the ship in the 1970s sailed regular trans-Atlantic voyages to Montréal.
Last Saturday local Saguenay residents, dignitaries and visitors turned out to welcome the Cruise & Maritime Voyages ship.
The 50 pies were presented by 50 individuals dressed in Saguenay's colors. Attendees had the opportunity to have their picture taken in front of Saguenay's sculpted letters by a professional photographer.
Marco Polo is scheduled to dock in Saguenay again on Sept. 26 as part of a second 50th birthday celebration cruise.
The port is having a record cruise year, with 38 calls over a 33-day period.
