Pretty much that. You can get a heavy cruiser for free, but you have to shell out for the advanced.
Also, if you were planning on getting the advanced heavy cruiser retrofit at admiral (which actually is a unique ship) it'll spare you from staring at the aft of the same ship for an extra rank. Pretty trivial concern, though, considering how long you'll probably be in the retrofit.
When I first got the Heavy cruiser I hated the design of it. a few levels into it I didn't mind it much. A few levels later I kinda liked it. A few levels later I really liked. A level later I was promoted and have missed it ever since.
Comments
Also, if you were planning on getting the advanced heavy cruiser retrofit at admiral (which actually is a unique ship) it'll spare you from staring at the aft of the same ship for an extra rank. Pretty trivial concern, though, considering how long you'll probably be in the retrofit.