In my opinion, there is no difference between safer seas and high seas. Nothing sets it apart besides the limitations. The world is more or less the same. To fix this, I'd like to suggest some variables that aren't cosmetic and can't be earned in safer seas.
Cosmetics are excellent, but there is no point to them, especially if players in Safer Seas can get almost everything with their gold. To create a clear gap between safer and high seas, I suggest having something earnable that isn't cosmetic but still keeps with the core values. For example, an earnable and raisable bounty. This bounty could be given out by the Sovereigns (GMU), and it would go up every time you sink someone or do something notable. It should stay across sessions, and it would reset after you sink and your bounty is turned in. Another suggestion could be implementing earnable changes that affect PVE only and are only available in high seas. For example, increased damage to skeletons or the ship emitting something which increases the chance for a megalodon to spawn. Whatever it is, I believe there needs to be more earnable things that aren't cosmetic that further separates the high seas from safer seas.
Safer Seas vs High Seas Suggestion
The game design and intent for Sea of Thieves is a shared world adventure, and it always will be. Those who wish to play in the confines of Safer Seas will always have the option but we will not bring the rewards and activities in line with those of High Seas when many of the restrictions are in place due to the risk vs reward factor that is inherent in Sea of Thieves - removing any risk means rewards must be balanced accordingly.
Safer Seas will act not only as a safe space for our Tall Tale players but also for families with children who just want to pirate, for people who want to play the game but learn the ropes and it will organically feed into Adventure mode, keeping the player pool there healthy and upskilled as they've learned the mechanics.
This is not only useful for new players but also families and players with accessibility needs - the whole game suddenly becomes available in a way it hasn't before, letting them naturally progress to High Seas and become a Pirate Legend. SoT has grown a huge amount in 5 years and it can be fairly overwhelming.
The borders put in Safer Seas mean that to experience the full depth and breadth of the game you will have to hit the high seas BUT if you're playing with your family you don't have to, you can just enjoy the game and have fun as a family.
