Celebrity Cruises has a history of honoring barrier-breaking women with godmother picks for its premium Edge Series cruise ships.
In 2018, the cruise line honored girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai, the youngest U.N. Messenger of Peace and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as godmother of Celebrity Edge.
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As the cruise line set its gold standard with Celebrity Beyond in 2022, Celebrity selected decorated Olympic gymnast Simone Biles to watch over the ship’s journeys as its godmother.
Now, with the newly named godmother for its fifth and most elevated Edge Series ship, Celebrity Cruises is celebrating excellence, global culture, and connection in a meaningful way.
The thoughtful selection of Celebrity Xcel’s godmother sets the tone for the cruise line’s future as it launches its most innovative and enriching vacation experience yet.
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Celebrity Cruises names Chef Janaína Torres as godmother of Celebrity Xcel
For the meaningful role of godmother of Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Cruises has selected Brazilian chef Janaína Torres, a global culinary leader who was named World’s Best Female Chef 2024 by World’s 50 Best.
A culinary innovator, Torres is widely recognized for her zero-waste cooking philosophy, culinary artistry, and cultural storytelling through food. She’s the visionary and culinary force behind several hospitality ventures that promote Latin American culture and cuisine.
Choosing Torres as godmother of Celebrity Xcel reflects the cruise line’s commitment to celebrating culture through vibrant culinary experiences that feature authentic recipes, locally sourced and sustainable produce, and high standards of service and hospitality.
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The first Brazilian chef to be appointed godmother for a major cruise line, Torres will join Celebrity Cruises at the official naming ceremony for Celebrity Xcel on Nov. 16 to celebrate their shared commitment to culinary excellence and culture through the maritime tradition of christening the vessel. As a symbolic and guiding force for a new ship, a ship’s godmother blesses the vessel, its crew, and passengers with good fortune and protection for all the journeys ahead.
“We are honored for Chef Janaína Torres, a trailblazer in the culinary industry, to be Godmother of Celebrity Xcel,” said Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge. “Janaína shares our commitment to celebrating and sharing global culture through elevated culinary experiences, connecting diners with culture through unique food experiences.”
Celebrity Xcel will make cultural experiences more accessible
One of the first cruise lines to earn a Forbes Travel Guide Star Award for its culinary offerings, Celebrity Cruises prides itself on delivering accessible, elevated culinary experiences to more than one million travelers each year.
With Celebrity Xcel, the cruise line set out to take destination-inspired culinary experiences to the next level through The Bazaar — a transformative venue designed to bring the ship’s destinations on board, making culture more accessible at sea with local and authentic food, entertainment, and activities.
“I’ve always believed that fine dining should be accessible, not intimidating. Food brings us together, connecting us through new flavors, traditions, and shared memories,” said Torres. “I’m proud to partner with Celebrity Cruises to showcase our culture and cuisine on a global stage.”
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Owner and chef of the award-winning restaurant A Casa do Porco in São Paulo, Torres is a leading figure in Brazil’s culinary scene whose influence extends to the global culinary stage. A champion of Latin American culture and cuisine, and nutrition access for millions, Torres embodies the global perspective and human connection that will shape the future of travel with Celebrity.
Following her naming ceremony in November, Celebrity Xcel will sail an inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
In summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will reposition to Europe to sail seven-to 11-night Mediterranean journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
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This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Aug 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.