Biles will christen Celebrity Cruises’ third Edge-class ship at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on 4 November. 

She joins Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai and Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, who are godmothers of Celebrity’s other Edge-series vessels, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and chief executive of Celebrity Cruises said Biles, who is tied as the most decorated gymnast of all time, was “truly the G.O.A.T [greatest of all time] inside and outside of the gym”.

“I’m humbled and thrilled to welcome her as godmother of our newest ship Celebrity Beyond,” she said. “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.”

Biles 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 designation holds in recognising our accomplishments, and hopefully inspiring the next generation of women.”

Beyond was launched from Southampton at the end of April and will spend the summer sailing nine and 10-night itineraries in the Mediterranean. 

The vessel will later redeploy to Fort Lauderdale for its official naming ceremony and a winter season of Caribbean sailings.