Since the beginning of the month, four brand new cruise ships have been named to begin sailing–Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny, Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Allura and Celebrity Cruise’ Celebrity Xcel.
On November 6, 2025, Star Princess was officially named by her godparents Camila and Matthew McConaughey. Instead of a bottle of champagne, the couple blessed the ship with a bottle of their tequila, Pantalones Tequila. La Lido Loca’s own Tony B was onboard for the christening and the Sphere-class ship’s maiden voyage to the Bahamas. The ship will homeport in Fort Lauderdale through April of 2026 before she repositions to Seattle for her Alaska season.
Disney Destiny was officially named by her godmother, famous Disney voice actress and Broadway performer Susan Egan, in Fort Lauderdale on November 10, 2025. In true Disney fashion, the naming ceremony was filled with a magical musical performance and drone show. The ship has been sailing preview sailings, but will begin her official sailings on November 20, 2025, with a 5-night maiden voyage that will call on both of Disney’s private islands–Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
On November 13, 2025, Oceania Allura was named in Miami, Florida. As Oceania Cruise is considered the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, it only makes sense that several acclaimed chefs were her godparents. Celebrating creative dining at sea and for the first time ever, Chefs Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes and Lawrence “LT” Smith joined together as they represented the prestigious Food & Wine Best New Chefs franchise during the christening ceremony before she began sailing her inaugural season in the Caribbean.
Celebrity Xcel was officially christened on November 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale. The Edge-class ship was christened by her godmother, award-winning Brazilian chef Janaína Torres. Celebrity Xcel will embark on her 5-night maiden voyage to Bimini Island today. She will homeport in Fort Lauderdale through April 2026.
Each of these christenings and maiden voyages is further proof of a booming cruise industry that is continuing to grow.