People play the game differently. Some like to sail and plunder, sail and plunder, sail and plunder
Others follow the storyline quests that's laid out for you, which is what I do. Either way, the most fun is when you join a guild and make friends to play the game with. I was pretty much a solo player until I joined Bad to the Bones Guild (former Motley Crew) and have seen a whole different aspect to the game.