@crockett36 Hi, I was thinking about the same thing:
36 IPC: ONE carrier + TWO fighters in offense: 2 dices on a 3 with the possibility to take a hit on the carrier (in the case you have a place for fighters to land
36 IPC: THREE cruisers in offense: 3 dices on 3.
==> on offense the cruisers fare better
On defense of course the carrier and fighters fare better but you have to be on your guard for landing space when the carriers take a hit.
And off course the cruisers provide the bombards as well.
Bottom line is i think there is potential for cruiser use.