By
Alex Smith |
Gymnast Simone Biles, a 19-time world champion and seven-time Olympic medallist, is to serve as godmother for Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond.
"I have a lot of great memories of cruising with my parents while growing up, so I am beyond excited to serve as godmother of Celebrity Beyond," said Biles. "I am honoured to join such a distinguished group of game-changing women and appreciate the important message this designation holds in recognising our accomplishments, and hopefully inspiring the next generation of women."
Biles will name Celebrity Beyond at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 4 November 2022.
"Simone is truly the greatest of all time inside and outside of the gym, and I'm humbled and thrilled to welcome her as godmother of our newest ship Celebrity Beyond," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "While I've marvelled at her abilities and historic accomplishments as a gymnast, it's Simone's courage to speak out and her ability to help others be better in sport and in life that has impressed me the most. She has risen to the occasion and overcome challenges time and time again. She is an inspiration."
Celebrity Beyond began her inaugural season on 27 April 2022 with a 10-night sailing from Southampton, UK, to Barcelona, Spain, and will now spend the summer sailing nine- to 10-night itineraries in the Mediterranean. In November, Celebrity Beyond will make her way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the naming ceremony and begin a winter season of five- to nine-night Caribbean sailings.