A ship isn’t considered ready for the world until someone names it. Long before steel hulls and megaships, mariners believed a vessel needed a blessing to carry its crew safely across open water, a ritual that evolved from ancient offerings to the now-familiar smash of a bottle against the bow. That tradition still shapes the modern cruise industry, and at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, the naming of Celebrity Xcel blended that history with the energy of a ship stepping into service. From the first notes of music to the moment the champagne bottle broke, the evening made clear why the ritual endures.
Style, heritage, and purpose came together as Celebrity Xcel took its name in Fort Lauderdale. Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises.
What once took place quietly in shipyards is now a full-scale event that mixes ceremony with celebration. Modern naming programs honor maritime history, but they also reveal the scale of today’s ships: vessels that function as destinations before they ever leave the dock. I was on board for the ceremony, watching it unfold from inside the very spaces built to showcase the ship.
The ceremony unfolds
As the light faded over Port Everglades, the ceremony opened with music and dance that set a lively tone. Guests packed the jogging track, leaned over the pool deck railings and filled theaters and lounges across the ship. The energy shifted as the godmother procession began and Janaína Torres stepped forward.
The St. Andrews Pipe Band of Miami followed, their pipes carrying across the water and drums cutting through the evening air before the program moved to its most traditional moment. Bishop Delton Fernander and Rabbi Lawrence M. Schuval delivered the blessings, marking the formal start of the ship’s life at sea.
Performances resumed as the program moved toward its leadership segment. Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge addressed the crowd, followed by the national anthem, and Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty closed out the remarks.
The naming came shortly after. Torres formally named Celebrity Xcel, with the bottle break broadcast on screens throughout the ship so guests could watch it in real time. The evening closed with a final round of performances as the decks stayed crowded and the ship lit up against the night sky.
Why a godmother, and why Janaína Torres
The role of a ship’s godmother dates back centuries, grounded in the belief that a vessel should begin its life with a designated protector. While the role is symbolic today, cruise lines choose their godmothers deliberately, selecting individuals whose values align with the identity they want the ship to carry forward.
Janaína Torres fits that intention. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants named her the Best Female Chef in the World in 2024, recognition tied to her leadership at A Casa do Porco in São Paulo and her broader culinary project, À Brasileira, which celebrates Brazilian heritage through food. Celebrity Cruises cited her commitment to sustainability, cultural storytelling and inclusive hospitality as core reasons behind her selection.
Why this ceremony matters
The naming marked Xcel’s transition from a completed build to an active part of the fleet. From on board, that shift was obvious. It wasn’t an abstract ritual; it was the moment the ship officially began its life with guests.
As the newest evolution of the Edge Series, Xcel builds on the design philosophy the line has been refining for years, emphasizing open-air spaces, multiple gathering points and a layout that keeps guests comfortably spread throughout the ship. Experiencing the ceremony from inside those spaces offered a clear view of how intentionally the ship is designed.
Looking ahead
The naming set the stage for Xcel’s first season and established the direction Celebrity Cruises is moving. With the ceremony complete and the bottle broken, the ship now begins service with its identity defined. Celebrity Xcel will sail the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale before making its way to the Mediterranean in 2026.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
The post Inside the naming ceremony that launched Celebrity Xcel appeared first on Food Drink Life.
