A guru from the travel industry, Michelle Morgan, has been appointed as godmother of Celebrity Silhouette, the new flagship of Celebrity Cruises.

The usual tradition is of course to use celebrities and not travel experts as godmothers. In a clear break with this tradition Celebrity Cruises has decided that Ms Morgan should become the first executive from the world of travel to name one of its ships. The location is Hamburg and the date is the 21st July this year.

Richard Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises, says “We are thrilled and honoured to have a woman of Michelle’s calibre serve as Godmother of this exceptional ship.” He added that Ms Morgan’s business achievements were matched by her inspiring personal and professional life.

Michelle Morgan joined Signature Travel when they had 30 locations, mostly in South California. During the past 20 years the company experienced explosive growth and now has 350 outlets in 38 states and two in Canada. Its annual sales exceed $5bn.

She has been honoured by the cruise industry on various occasions and she has also been appointed one of the “25 Most Influential Women in Travel” by Forbes. In 2011 she was inducted into Cruise Line International’s Hall of Fame.

What many people do not know, however, is that while Ms Morgan was building her illustrious career, she was also battling breast cancer.

The Silhouette will be Celebrity’s first Solstice Class cruise ship offering Northeast departures. The first cruise departs at the beginning of November.