I almost forgot this one. U.S.S. Defiance NCC 75216 DEFIANCE-CLASS (Intrepid-Class - Dominion War Refit) http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk314/shaggy457/usshellsgate.jpg Propulsion: Q.S.S. Enabled. Cruise Speed: Warp 9.7 Defensive / Offensive Systems: Phased Mass Holographic Masking System. High Yield "Phaser Lance" (* in lieu of aerowing captain's yacht.) Standard Phasers / Torpedoes. Tricobalt Missile Cache. "Condition: Blue" Vertical Take-Off And Landing Multi-Layered Auto-Rotating Shields. Auxiliary Vehicles: 2 - Type 15 (Interceptor-Class) Shuttlecraft. 1 - Workbee The expected Diplomatic capacity, standard quarters and science labs of the standard Intrepid-Class have been removed in favor of "assault transport" options such as an entire deck dedicated to The Starfleet Marines' requirements. "The Doghouse": 'Tactical' Holosuite (a.k.a. 'Mark 2' Stellar Cartography), Infirmary, Transporter Room Ordinance Locker, (Defiant-Class) bunk-style quarters, et al. Common Room / Replimat The Defiance has been permanently assigned to protecting The Guardian of Forever & "Gateway Station" in orbit. Only 3 ships of this type have been converted from their original Intrepid-Class layout since their completion at Utopia Planetia (circa 2377). The Defiance-Class has significantly fewer crew and no such options as Kes' "Horticultural Lab". Instead, the Defiance-Class has a dormant / redundant secondary warp core (slightly higher rated type/class than a Danube-Class runabout,) set-up to draw power from the dorsal third nacelle. Dedicated deuterium/anti-matter storage tanks that also draw their power from interacting directly with the third nacelle. A system designed to kick-in (as necessary) to power shields, life-support & other auxiliary / emergency back-up systems, (or the phaser lance when required) so they don't suck essential power from the main core, under normal circumstances. Which, of course, all provides one HELL of an unforgettable wake-up call during "Self-Destruct". She's a rottweiller on steroids, specifically designed to face-down anyone from The Klingons, Krenim, and The Romulans, straight through to The Borg.
I'd have to go for the Excelsior class, pre-refit. Then the Sovereign class, Defiant class and Steamrunner class in that order.
I really love any of the Enterprise, except for maybe the NX (It just didn't seem like an Enterprise for me) and the B (Never really enjoyed the Excelsior pasted the first one that much either). I love the C, that was great. But I'd either have to go with the E, which has always been one of my favorites, or the nuEnterprise: which, for some one from my generation, is just magnificent and beautiful. Oh and, give the Narada some visbil turbo lifts or stairs and add railings to the cat walk as well and I'd sure like to captain her.
The Galaxy is my favorite ship, but I equate her to a huge lumbering truck. Great in a battle or for security, sure, but sometimes I don't want that city in space. I would go with a Defiant or a Sabre for speedy sports-car type ships. They always looked fun to pilot. For grace and ease of travel, perhaps an Excelsior or the Intrepid.
Indeed it is, but it lacks an holodeck. And that's it's a no-no you need to have one of those things around on YOUR ship!
I go for the Galaxy Class or the Sovereign class because I like the design. I would also go for the Intrepid class too.
If I'm going into battle....the DEFIANT..... For just cruisin' the galaxy....ENTERPRISE-A... When I'm just feeling bad-azz....Klingon Bird of Prey....
D'Deridex for me, probably. (I've also always been a fan of the non-canon Imperial Hawk.) Failing that, an Excelsior or her successor, the Sovereign.