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Originally Posted by Lt West
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Most of the White Star Line's ships didn't sink. Yeah, they lost a few. Doesn't prove anything. Superstition's just make-believe.
I'm not even sure most of the ships I was on were christened. I only know for sure about one, and that was a cruise ship, so christening = PR op. Of the others, 4 have had their names changed. There's only one of these ships I've ever called "Unlucky", but that was in jest. They fixed up the engine, and she seems to be having better luck now, from what I've heard.
I'd say most civillian ships will have their names changed during their career, as most shipowners will retain ownership of the name when they sell the vessel. Most people will also rename a ship when they buy it - OMG Shipping wouldn't want to operate the HyperGloboNet Explorer. And HyperGloboNet wouldn't want their name to be associated with the ship if they're not operating it.
It's quite amusing to walk along a wharf and notice how the names welded on a ships hull don't match the ones painted on them. A ship I worked on had markings for three or four company logos on her side plating.
As for Titanic not having a cabin 13, I'd say most hotels don't even have a room 13. Many don't even have a 13th floors! Modern cruise ships don't usually have that cabin number either, simply because their numbering scheme don't produce. (You can usually get the deck and side from the cabin number, and sometimes if it's a crew or guest cabin)
And frankly, I couldn't care less if a ship has been christened or not. As one Captain I've worked with put it, "There's no such thing as bad luck, just bad decisions."