Celebrity Cruises taps Brazilian chef as godmother for Florida-bound Celebrity Xcel

Celebrity Cruises has plans to expand its global cuisine offerings when Celebrity Xcel debuts this fall in Florida, and for the new ship’s christening duties, the line has tapped an award-winning Brazilian chef.

Janaína Torres, who was named Best Female Chef in the World 2024 by the British-based World’s 50 Best publication, will perform godmotherly ceremonial duties to welcome the fifth Edge-class ship when it arrives to Port Everglades in November.

“Janaína shares our commitment to celebrating and sharing global culture through elevated culinary experiences, connecting diners with culture through unique food experiences,” said cruise line President Laura Hodges Bethge in a press release.

Torres is the chef and owner of A Casa do Porco in São Paulo, Brazil. The line says she’s a champion of Latin American culture and cuisine on a global scale, touting her innovative and no-waste approach to cooking that blends heritage with purpose.

Torres will lead its christening on Nov. 16 and the ship will begin regular service on Nov. 18.

Just like its sister ships, Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent, the vessel will venture from the South Florida port for the winter sailing season performing alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.

Unlike its sister ships, though, Xcel is dropping the avant-garde Eden section of the ship in favor of an expanded venue called The Bazaar.

This is the space where Torres’ cuisine and the cruise line’s culinary efforts will mesh the most.

The Bazaar looks to offer up authentic food and entertainment based on the destinations where the ship is visiting. Cruisers could expect a venue that can shift from Bahamian to Caribbean to Mexican inspirations for its debut sailing season with each voyage looking to change up four times during weeklong sailings.

“I’ve always believed that fine dining should be accessible, not intimidating,” Torres said. “Food brings us together, connecting us through new flavors, traditions and shared memories. I’m proud to partner with Celebrity Cruises to showcase our culture and cuisine on a global stage.”

The ship is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

It will be one of three new ships to debut out of Port Everglades this fall joining Princess Cruises’ new ship Star Princess and Disney Cruise Line’s new ship Disney Destiny.