What's In A Name?

Creativity, if you buy the description in the dictionary, is classed as a mental and social process involving the discovery of new ideas or concepts. 

Notice that word - new.  As in different.  As in distinguishing or original. 

A report on Cruise Critic's Princess board hinted that the new vessel rumored to be in the works for Princess may end up being called Opal Princess.  This is entirely speculative and unconfirmed, but it did get us thinking - when did this trend start requiring cruise lines to name ships after precious stones?

We have Jewel of the Seas, Norwegian Jewel, Pacific Pearl, Norwegian Pearl, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Norwegian Jade, and now...Opal Princess. 

Confusing?  The copycat naming scheme doesn't stop at gems and rubies.  Had Norwegian Dream still been with the NCL fleet, Carnival Dream would have complimented her nicely.  The two couldn't be more different physically, but one has to wonder how many people would have come home and said 'we had a great trip on the Dream!' without adding whether it was Norwegian or Carnival.

Other similarities:
Carnival Freedom / Freedom of the Seas
Carnival Liberty / Liberty of the Seas
Pacific Star / Norwegian Star
Pacific Sun / Norwegian Sun
Seabourn Pride / Carnival Pride
Seabourn Spirit / Carnival Spirit / Norwegian Spirit

However, there are some nice, standout names.  Holland America Line has always named their ships after previous ships in the fleet, with the exception of the one-off Eurodam.  The line's upcoming Nieuw Amsterdam will be the fourth vessel in the company's history to bear the name.

Other unique names include Celebrity's fantastically named Celebrity Solstice, Equinox and Eclipse.  MSC also continues their tradition of ships names ending in 'a' with MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia.

Cunard also remains unmistakable - there can be only one RMS Queen Mary 2.