I read somewhere that instead of mailboxes there will be player-driven couriers. I guess that is going to become a trade (pretty much like EVE or AA). 

Also it was mentioned somewhere else that there will be zones that only adventurers willing to take risks will travel. 

So I am guessing there will no fast travel options, or will be limited to some areas that would not affect the economy. Definitely no mounts that can eliminate the elements of risk during travels (flying mounts for example). 

I also miss standing in one location and socialize with people for hours. Is it possible in this game for "gossip" to have effects in the world? :)

I'm also very interested in learning this. I've been going through every information piece I could find, but this.. Seems like they're avoiding answering this, and they seem to be very good with the community. I'd wager we're looking at a special reveal in the future about this. ;)

Fast travel really ruins the immersion into a game world for me.  Many of the finest adventures from the novels we've read, D&D, etc. take place while travelling.  Every inch of land should be meaningful, dynamic, worthy of travelling again and again w/o repetition and boredom.  I played MUDS for many years (DragonRealms/GemStone).  They had limited fast travel facilitated by a player class that could open a 'Moongate' to teleport players limited distances, but only w/ the help of a second player in the target location. Teleport distance was determined by the time of day and the moons that were visible in the sky.  Quite a fun game mechanic. It was a great way for that class to make money, too. 

This might be like it I guess, it seems they've been going for realism. Almost "RP" style. Which is very exciting. I'd definitely like long exploration, ships, horses, maybe wagons?

I really hope there are no general fast travel methods. I don't mind if a PC has the ability to learn something that can bring people places, but in general would like to have to get somewhere by walking, taking a boat/carriage, horse, etc. I don't want magic stones, pedestals, gates you can touch to bring you somewhere.

I would love waggons, can already see the caravans of traveling merchant families 

Bump. Oops, finger slipped! sorry!

BTW, any new info on... hmmm... sailing? No pressure or anything, just asking.

'Only boats' doesn't cut it for me. I know I'll be accused of being aggessive, a troll or whatever, I don't care. I have to say this.

If I see a gaming company that doesn't show enough pride in its work and chooses to hide behind NDAs, concept art, long and often confusing discussions about nothing really important, I start to question their passion.

Check Hearts of Oak, a game made by a bunch of enthusiast amateurs from PiratesAhoy community, during their free time. About one year in development, and alot of progress was made. Yes, you can actually see the progress, because they showed their work from the first week. Many historicaly accurate ship models with an insane amount of detail, cannons that fit perfectly, exactly where they were 3 centuries ago. 17-18th century music, played at dulcimer. Yes, dulcimer. Simple, but brilliant. You can see a large amount of screenshots, videos, tool/weapon models. Very little concept art. You can even download playable demos, free for everyone interested in that sort of stuff. The only problem is that, most likely, the game won't be a MMO...

We might have an uncut diamond here. Maybe, I don't know, I didn't see it, I didn't even see pictures of it. All I know is how they describe it to me. I can't make any suggestion on how they should cut their diamond. I just stand here and try to act like I know things. But I don't know anything, I'm just as confused as anyone. Then they tell us they'll just cut the diamond in half. No ships, just boats.

I can't do anything, it's their diamond, not mine.