What is your definition of High-Poly? I have suggested that the polycount of the stock KGV is what should be used as a guide for capital ships. Late war ships inevitably have a higher polycount due to the increase in AA guns. Also any modelling of the IJN BB's with large pagoda style bridge structures will be a serious challenge to the poly budget.
As to whether or not you see the detail I guess with many ships you will only see it at the last second of a strafing, or skip bombing run, but certainly you would expect to get a close up view of a carrier as you approach for landing, so I would suggest that this level of detail is not unreasonable.
HMS Eagle CV - Polycount 16848 (inc. gun crew)
Ashe