In free-play mode there are only 5 towns on the map. This doesn't seem..

You have to explore and discover new towns.
They will appear when you get near them.

You have to sail around with your ship to discover other cities.

You realise in free play it only shows 5 towns to start with you have exsplore and you need to be a higher rank to do rest wich is achieved by wealth so start trading some gear

I have been playing since it came out and was one of them addictive games. Back in 2004 could not find that pirates game. After training went to free play. It took me half a year day and night speeding up time and stopping time in getting to ports saving every time breaking reviewing mistakes and starting over from points. As you sail around the Port-Royal globe the towns will open and you can sell into them. It takes time for a ship to sail up to New Orleans area. Know which country you want to side with as time unfolds country's real time with each other. Peaceful of who you are attacking and when. If you mess up that port of that country will open fire on you and .... Staying neutral with every one would be the hardest to do. And taking on a whole military fleet is hard as well but is doable. The hardest feet for me to do is looking for that object or your wife. If not at the right place at the right time you will miss it and that is when saved points to go back to are the best, biggest ships take up a lot of money. Unless your making money not worth it. I have put out a net of ships and park the big one. Using 10 15 pennices as a net then when person or ship that some one stole and found then park pennices but use the one to follow while rearming a corvette. With 2 or 3 corvettes I would go against and fleet under military flag. HAVING spare ships in ports not sailing are great to switch out after battles to replace damaged ships or captured damaged ship. A lot of tips here I hope this has been a help. When buying the game at the store manufacture version a book comes with it that has a map and tells you where the towns are and what town produces what. And a map which I now have taped up. It is on nice high gloss paper and show all towns as well with what they produce. Good gaming and don't let your waste of time playing get away from you and get you introuble. You could loose your job not showing up when your playing or get you a divorce for not spending time with her or doing your honey dos..like eating do all things in moderation. And have fun. Thank you azcaron and this site