Constitution Class Ship
Shortly after the tutorial, a player assumes command of a ship. A player can choose either a standard Miranda class or this exclusive, the Constitution class ship. Players fly around in a semi-customizable replica of the TOS ship beloved for decades (the textures can be altered like other ships, but not the components). Players control this ship for roughly 20 hours before being promoted into the next class of ship.
What does this mean? After 20 hours we get another class? Or we can't get another class for 20 hours?
Comments
It's your starter ship. When you start the game you are usually given a hideous looking Miranda class Light Cruiser. If you got the preorder Constitution ship bonus you can use that instead (I don't know how you activate it...probably on the Cryptic website).
Once you reach Lt. Commander you get to choose a new ship that will have more stuff than your pre-order Constitution class ship (or Miranda) and will fill a niche (Escort = DPS, Cruiser = Tank, Science = Rad, I mean...support).
The 20 hours comment just means that it is estimated that you'll take 20 hours to reach Lt. Commander. If you chose you could keep flying the Constitution around, but it wouldn't have the advanced features you'd get with the next tiers (more consoles, Bridge Officer seats, stuff like that).