I think it's a pretty good update.
The reaper chest allows a lot of interractions between players (there was 2 brigs and 2 sloops at the same place, fighting each others for it. Haven't seen so many boat since the first release of skelletons forts !).
The harpoon rowboat is insanly fun (I used a skelleton ship as a taxi yesterday).
Even if it is reusing the same quest mechanics, mercenary voyages are good, especialy when you switch from fighting to digging. It's better than only do one kind of action in one quest.
I also like the fact we don't have to do the quest 3 or 5 times to get the comendation (we can steal the loot of other players to complete it).
Thinking about dark relics items, I though it would be a good idea for the game to give the player a choice :
- You can sell your items
- You can combine it with other items to create something new (it could be potion, enchanted compass, sails, bucket).
Especially for pirates that stacks gold and have no interest in selling items, it could be a great addition to the game.