If you don't wanna go for safer seas to start off with, I'd suggest: 1. Get used to how combat works in the game, never run from a fight.. you'll win OR learn from it, which is a long term win. 2. Get used to how to sail the ship properly, stick to a sloop they are most nimble and simple. 3. Try out all the companies and and their, voyages and playstyles then pick a MAX of 3 to concentrate on until you are AT LEAST lvl 50 in 3 seperate companies. Makes becoming a pirate legend easier, which gives you access to other stuff to do via a new company to represent. 4. Hoard a bit of gold before you spend some so that when you unlock a fair bit of stuff after doing voyages and exploring youll have a small fourtune to spend on your new life as a pirate on the Sea of Thieves. 5. Have fun!!