Celebrity Cruises has announced that Simone Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist and 19 time world champion will be Godmother for Celebrity Beyond, which recently debuted in Europe.
Simone Biles will name Celebrity Beyond at the official ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on November 4, 2022.
Ms Biles joins Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai and Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms, who serve as godmothers of Beyond’s sister ships: Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex respectively.
Celebrity Cruises CEO and president, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said of the appointment: “Simone is truly the G.O.A.T inside and outside of the gym and I’m humbled and thrilled to welcome her as godmother of our newest ship, Celebrity Beyond.
“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.”
Ms Biles was excited about being named the godmother of Celebrity Beyond and said: “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.
“I am honoured to join such a distinguished group of game-changing women and appreciate the important message this destination holds in recognising our accomplishments and hopefully inspiring the next generation of women.”
Celebrity Beyond began sailing on April 27, 2022, with a ten-night sailing from Southampton, England to Barcelona, Spain and will now spend the summer sailing nine-to-ten night itineraries in the Mediterranean before returning to Fort Lauderdale for the official naming ceremony and a winter season of five-to-nine-night Caribbean sailings.
The ship was designed by British designer, Kelly Hoppen CBE, celebrated American designer Nate Berkus and Paris-based design firm Jouin Manku, British Architect Tom Wright. On board, guests will experience the culinary delights of Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur Daniel Boulud plus experiences and products from Goop CEO and founder, Gwyneth Paltrow, the brand’s new Wellbeing Advisor.
Celebrity Cruises is expected to launch another new ship, Celebrity Ascent in 2023.
