Brazilian award-winning chef Janaína Torres will become the godmother of Celebrity Cruises’ new ship, Celebrity Xcel. On 16 November 2025, Torres, who was named Best Female Chef in the World 2024 by World’s 50 Best, will christen the 3,260-passenger ship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the US.
Joining the ranks of Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles and Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai as a Celebrity Cruises godmother, Torres brings her renowned sustainable, zero-waste cooking philosophy to this milestone. As co-owner of São Paulo’s acclaimed restaurant A Casa do Porco, she is set to elevate the ship’s culinary offerings with her passion for accessible, culture-rich dining.
“I’ve always believed that fine dining should be accessible, not intimidating. Food brings us together, connecting us through new flavours, traditions, and shared memories,” said Torres. “I’m proud to partner with Celebrity Cruises to showcase our culture and cuisine on a global stage.”
One of the highlights of the Celebrity Xcel is The Bazaar, a performance space designed to enhance the cruise line’s focus on destination-inspired dining by providing guests with authentic food, entertainment, and activities. In this way, they can feel better connected with the places they visit. This concept aligns with the culinary mission of the ship’s godmother, Chef Janaína Torres.
“Janaína shares our commitment to celebrating and sharing global culture through elevated culinary experiences, connecting diners with culture through unique food experiences,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
The ship will also offer a range of features tailored to modern travellers, such as an adult-only games room, where guests can enjoy activities such as darts, foosball, shuffleboard, as well as retro games like Pac-Man and Golden Tee. Meanwhile, sun enthusiasts will have the chance to unwind on the Vitamin D Deck, designed for ultimate relaxation. For relaxation and wellness, the ship will host Celebrity’s most spacious spa, featuring its first Hydra Room, the addition to the Thermal Suite’s therapeutic experiences.
The Celebrity Xcel is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Its first short sailing, a four-day preview from Fort Lauderdale, is scheduled for November 9. Its official maiden voyage, a five-day roundtrip to Bimini and Cozumel, will depart on November 18.
Starting in November, the Celebrity Xcel will depart for its first season sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. The itineraries will be seven nights long between destinations in the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands. Another route will include Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In summer 2026, the vessel is expected to reposition to the Mediterranean, offering cruises of seven to 11 nights from Barcelona and Athens.
