Mr Scott's Guide to the Enterprise* claimed that the decision was made as part of the uniform changes between TOS and TMP to do away with ship insignia and replace them with a starfleet-wide insignia. This being when Kirk and crew were the much heralded heroes of the fleet for their 5 year mission the decision was made to use the insignia of the Enterprise.The opinions of the crews of other ships is not recorded.
* Which probably isn't official, admittedly.