Can't They Think of New Names?

There must be some pretty deep layoffs in the Disney creative department these days, as there is a bit of industry redundancy in the new names they announced today for their next two new ships.

Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean have been repeating names between one another for awhile now (Carnival Freedom vs. Freedom of the Seas for example, or Jewel of the Seas and Norwegian Jewel), and of course Princess and Holland America re-use their own ship names frequently and for generations, but I didn't expect that Disney would expand the trend. After all, it's Disney we're talking about. The place where dreams come true and a true fantasy land... the birthplace of imagination for generations of youngsters across the world, and creative innovators for 50 years.

But, despite the redundancy with other lines, I do have to admit the names are well suited to the line which currently consists of the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic.

Oh, did I forget to mention the new names? They'll be the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, planned to set sail in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In announcing the new name, Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations said, "the names are very telling of our brand and are part of our history. Disney is known for making dreams come true, and for creating worlds of fantasy that go beyond the imagination. The names are a natural choice for our ships."

This just means you'll have to be even more careful when you tell your agent which ship you'd like to book. If you're wanting the Disney Fantasy, you want to be sure you don't end up on the Carnival Fantasy instead.

And anyone want to bet if Disney orders a third new ship that it will be the Disney Imagination?