I don't know about you but for me the feeling of being a pirate exploring the world is gone. This is not because of lack of places to explore, but rather what seems to be a game that punishes people that want to explore and do PvE style gameplay. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting a PvE server or even a solo mode but rather more emphisis on exploration rather than piracy (I know its a pirate game, kinda ironic isnt it?) But for me when I didn't understand the dangers other players can cause back in the betas, I had so much fun exploring the Islands. Now once I dock at one I have to keep constantly looking towards the horizon for other players rather than searching the island for hidden lore.
My favorite example was I was searching an Island for treasure for like 5 minutes when I realized the island I was on was actually a really cool pirate cemetery. Now instead of looking for hidden meaning behind Shark Bait Cove I make a beeline to the X and then haul A$$ back to an outpost.