Not all cruise news is chaos. Sometimes, it’s champagne and celebration.
⏱️ 6 min read
In a year dominated by cruise ship incidents, outbreaks, and controversies, let’s take a moment to celebrate something genuinely positive: Celebrity Cruises officially naming its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, with a ceremony that honored women breaking barriers in both the culinary and maritime worlds.
Because sometimes the best cruise stories aren’t about what went wrong – they’re about what went spectacularly right.
Celebrity Xcel Joins the Fleet
On November 16, 2025, Celebrity Xcel was officially christened at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to Travel Market Report, the ceremony took place under cloudless blue skies as travel advisors, media, and Celebrity’s most devoted fans filled the ship’s Resort Deck, Rooftop Garden, and jogging track.
The Xcel is the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class – a series of vessels that have redefined modern cruise ship design with their outward-facing focus and innovative features like the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves along the ship’s side.
But what made this naming ceremony special wasn’t just the ship. It was who was chosen to bless it.
Meet the Godmother: Chef Janaina Torres
Every cruise ship has a godmother – a person chosen to officially name the vessel and serve as its symbolic protector. Historically, this honor has gone to celebrities, royalty, or notable figures.
For Celebrity Xcel, the cruise line chose Brazilian chef Janaina Torres.
According to Cruise Mapper, Torres was named the world’s best female chef in 2024 for her innovative Brazilian cuisine. She runs five restaurants in Sao Paulo, focusing on making fine dining accessible – a philosophy that aligns perfectly with Celebrity Cruises’ food-forward approach.
The selection of Torres signals something important: cruise lines are increasingly looking beyond traditional celebrities to honor people who represent excellence, innovation, and breaking barriers in their fields.
A world-renowned chef as godmother for a ship known for its dining experiences? That’s not just symbolic – it’s strategic.
Captain Kate McCue: The Trailblazer
While we’re celebrating women in the cruise industry, we have to talk about Captain Kate McCue.
Captain Kate made history in 2015 as the first American woman to captain a major cruise ship. She currently commands Celebrity Beyond and has become one of the most recognizable figures in the cruise world, with a massive social media following and a book chronicling her journey.
According to Celebrity Cruises, Captain Kate was named commander of Celebrity Beyond when the ship launched, making her the captain of one of the most technologically advanced cruise ships afloat.
But her impact goes far beyond her specific commands. Captain Kate has become an ambassador for women in maritime careers, regularly speaking about the challenges she faced and encouraging young women to pursue their dreams regardless of industry expectations.
When Simone Biles was named godmother of Celebrity Beyond in 2022, it was Captain Kate who stood alongside the Olympic champion – two women who had each broken barriers in their respective fields.
Celebrity Beyond’s Godmother: Simone Biles
Since we’re talking about Celebrity ships and their godmothers, let’s not forget that Celebrity Beyond’s godmother is none other than Simone Biles – the 19-time World Champion and seven-time Olympic Medalist gymnast.
According to Celebrity Cruises’ press materials, Biles officially named Celebrity Beyond at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on November 4, 2022. The cruise line called her “the gold standard” in gymnastics, making her perfect for christening “the gold standard ship in the Celebrity fleet.”
The pattern is clear: Celebrity Cruises is choosing godmothers who represent excellence and barrier-breaking across different fields. It’s a smart approach that generates positive press and aligns the brand with achievement.
What’s Next: Celebrity Xcite
The Xcel naming ceremony also came with news about what’s next. According to cruise industry reports, Celebrity has announced that its sixth Edge-class ship will be named Celebrity Xcite.
The Edge class has become Celebrity’s flagship series, and the continued investment shows confidence in the premium cruise market. Each ship in the class has built on its predecessors, and expectations for Xcite are high.
The Business of Ship Naming
Ship naming ceremonies might seem like pure pageantry, but they serve real business purposes:
Media coverage: A well-executed naming ceremony generates significant press, putting the cruise line in front of potential customers.
Brand association: Choosing the right godmother associates the brand with specific values. Torres and Biles both represent excellence, determination, and breaking barriers.
Industry credibility: A successful launch demonstrates that the cruise line can execute complex events, reassuring travel advisors and partners.
Employee pride: These ceremonies celebrate not just the ship but everyone who designed, built, and will operate it.
Why Positive News Matters
In a year where cruise news has been dominated by outbreaks, fights, technical failures, and controversies, events like the Celebrity Xcel naming ceremony remind us of something important: the cruise industry is also a source of joy, innovation, and human achievement.
For every viral video of a passenger behaving badly, there’s a Captain Kate inspiring the next generation of female mariners.
For every norovirus outbreak, there’s a world-renowned chef bringing her passion to a ship’s dining program.
For every itinerary disrupted by hurricanes, there are thousands of passengers having the vacation of their lives.
The negative stories get the clicks. But the positive stories represent the everyday reality of cruising.
What This Means for Cruisers
If you’re considering a Celebrity cruise, here’s what the Xcel news means:
1. Dining is a priority. Having a world-renowned chef as godmother signals Celebrity’s commitment to food quality. Expect the culinary program to reflect that.
2. The Edge class is proven. Xcel is the fifth ship in the series. The design has been refined over multiple iterations.
3. Women are leading. Captain Kate and the growing number of female officers across the fleet represent a changing industry. If you have daughters interested in maritime careers, Celebrity is walking the walk.
4. New ships mean new experiences. The Xcel will feature the latest amenities and design innovations. Early sailings often come with excitement and the energy of a fresh product.
The Takeaway
The Celebrity Xcel naming ceremony of November 2025 was a bright spot in a challenging year for cruise news. The selection of Janaina Torres as godmother – combined with the continued presence of trailblazers like Captain Kate McCue – shows an industry that’s evolving beyond its traditional image.
Not all cruise stories are about chaos, controversy, and catastrophe.
Sometimes, they’re about champagne bottles, world-class chefs, and the women changing an industry from the bridge down.
Here’s to the Xcel, to Chef Torres, and to Captain Kate. May your voyages be smooth and your seas calm.
Join the Conversation
Who would be YOUR dream godmother for a cruise ship? Tell us in the comments!
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Sources
- Travel Market Report: Celebrity Xcel Officially Named
- Cruise Mapper: Celebrity Xcel Debuts
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Beyond
- Travel Market Report: Entertainment and Dining on Celebrity Xcel
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