Award-winning Brazilian chef Janaína Torres, renowned for her restaurant A Casa do Porco in Sao Paulo has been appointed as Godmother of Celebrity Cruises‘s Celebrity Xcel 

After being crowned the World’s Best Female Chef by World’s 50 Best in 2024, Torres, also fondly known as Lady Jaguar, now takes the new title for Celebrity Xcel.

The ship will officially be christened by her on 16 November in Fort Lauderdale, ahead of its five-day maiden voyage calling at Bimini, Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, said: “We are honoured for Chef Janaína Torres, a trailblazer in the culinary industry, to be Godmother of Celebrity Xcel. She shares our passion for connecting guests to global culture through elevated food experiences.”

Torres also oversees a range of hospitality venues and works on projects such as À Brasileira, promoting Brasilian food through culture and sustainability. She said: “I’m proud to partner with Celebrity Cruises to showcase our culture and cuisine on a global stage. 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.”

From November 2025, Celebrity Xcel will launch seven-night Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale to Mexico, The Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

In Summer 2026, the ship will begin her inaugural European season, offering seven to eleven-night itineraries from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

Celebrity Xcel will also debut a new venue called The Bazaar, which will include local festivals and celebrate regional cuisines.