Cruiser

The cruiser is a type of heavily-armed and armored warship designed with an emphasis on weaponry and armor over fighter complements.

Summary
Even though both UNSC and Covenant fleets possess warships of such classifications, the tactical philosophies of the two navies are different. The Covenant, while possessing many different cruiser classifications, use assault carriers as the powerhouses of their fleets. The UNSC, on the other hand, use cruisers as their heaviest warships, designed to engage and destroy enemy warships that may otherwise threaten a fleet's carrier force. Cruisers served as the backbone of human fleets. However, it should be noted that Covenant cruisers were considerably longer than their UNSC counterparts.

Prehistoric human

 * Prime cruiser - A type of large warship used by Ancient humanity during the Human-Forerunner wars.

UNSC

 *  - The smallest vessels to be designated a cruiser by the UNSC.

Covenant

 *  - While classified as a cruiser by the UNSC despite the ship's small size, the role of the CRS in the Covenant is closer to to that of a Police cutter . However, following the Great Schism, they began to see frontline use.

Forerunner

 * Forerunner cruiser - A type of vessel used in the Ecumene's fleets that defended Maethrillian.
 * Forerunner picket cruiser - A type of cruiser used by the Forerunners.

Covenant

 * - A type of small vessel, described as a cruiser.

Sangheili

 * Carrack - Described as a "merchant cruiser", the Carrack was used to ferry troops and materiel.