“Star Trek’s Most Enduring Starships: Ranked by Their Epic Voyages”2025
For almost 60 years Star Trek has led us to places no one has ever been before including alternate realities galactic quadrants and time warps. However without the powerful starships at the heart of each tale no Trek adventure would be complete. These ships are more than just sets; they are characters in and of themselves having witnessed space diplomacy tragedies and victories.
The sleek lines of 32nd-century technology and the original Constitution-class Enterprise are just two examples of how Star Trek starships represent the franchise’s values of perseverance hope and exploration. But which ones are most notable for their epic journeys and lasting legacies? Here are the most enduring Star Trek starships ranked by the significance of their journeys and the lasting impression they have made on fans of all ages. Fasten your seatbelts lift your shields and get involved.
Need a Good Laugh
USS Cerritos (NCC-75567) — Star Trek: Lower Decks
The USS Cerritos isn’t the strongest ship in Starfleet but it deserves to be here because of its distinct viewpoint. This California-class starship manages “second contact” missions that frequently go hilariously wrong while operating on the outskirts of significant galactic events. Cerritos is surprisingly resilient though despite the humour. She has withstood time warps Pakled attacks and even the fury of rogue AI. Epic Voyage Moment: Comedy and skill in one daring package: The Cerritos surviving the Titan and Boimler providing vital information that averts a catastrophe.
USS Discovery (NCC-1031) — Star Trek: Discovery
The USS Discovery has changed more than any other ship in Trek history starting out as a science ship with experimental spore drive capabilities. This ship changed the definition of adaptation from the Klingon War to a 900-year leap into the future. Epic Voyage Moment: Rewriting destiny by leaping into the 32nd century to save all sentient life from The Burn.
USS Defiant (NX-74205) — Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
With good reason, the Defiant is the only warship in this lineup. Constructed to combat the Borg and subsequently used in the Dominion War, the Defiant revolutionised the capabilities of Starfleet ships by being compact resilient and equipped to outperform their class. She is a resilient young woman with a generous heart and a history of selflessness. Leading the charge in several Dominion War battles and maintaining the line when all else failed was an epic voyage moment.
USS Voyager (NCC-74656) — Star Trek: Voyager
The Voyager has travelled farther and survived longer than most ships. This Intrepid-class ship spent seven years travelling 70,000 light-years to return home after becoming trapped in the Delta Quadrant and cut off from Starfleet and reinforcements. With a crew that included both Maquis rebels and Starfleet officers Voyager came to represent tenacity. Breaking through Borg space and forming unlikely alliances to return home—against all odds—was the epic voyage moment.
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) — Star Trek Original Films
Despite having a shorter lifespan the Enterprise-A played a crucial role during a period of change. This ship which rose from the ashes of the refit Constitution-class destroyed in The Search for Spock played a significant role in establishing peace with the Klingons and influencing the political climate of the 23rd century. Epic Voyage Moment: Using diplomacy bravery and the famous “second star to the right and straight on till morning” to avert galactic war in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) — Star Trek: The Next Generation
The Galaxy-class Enterprise-D is arguably the most elegant of all the Enterprises graceful and diplomatic. It symbolised a Starfleet that was more interested in philosophy science and pursuing peace than in fighting wars. This ship became a floating university of the cosmos during Captain Picard’s tenure. Moment of Epic Voyage: Time loops Romulan standoffs facing off against Q and finally giving its life in Star Trek: Generations—a fantastic conclusion to an incredible chapter.
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) — Star Trek: The Original Series
The original Enterprise has influenced Star Trek mythology more than any other ship. This Constitution-class ship commanded by James T. Kirk is the model for what it means to go with courage. The Enterprise is legendary from the first five-year mission to iconic episodes like “The City on the Edge of Forever.” Moment of Epic Voyage: There are too many to list but maybe none more legendary than escaping Khan’s fury and starting the series’ emotional arc which saw it through several generations.
Honorable Mentions:
- USS Titan (Various Registries): From Riker’s ship in novels and Lower Decks to the Titan-A in Picard it’s earned fan respect.
- USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E): Sleek powerful and heroic during the Borg and Reman conflicts.
- La Sirena: Rios’ rogue ship in Star Trek: Picard offered a fresh take on non-Starfleet exploration.
Final Warp
Each of these vessels conveys a tale greater than itself from the motley survivors of the Voyager crew to Picard’s Enterprise’s bold diplomacy. They carry philosophies of exploration hope and unity in diversity in addition to crews. These ships serve as a reminder that what really endures—rather than just metal or warp coils—are the ideals that Star Trek stands for as it daringly ventures into new frontiers.
