Just had a thought....
Many people have been calling for future world gens that include oceans/continents. I've even seen good demonstrations of randomized maps that work this way. Heck, it was hoped that world 3 wouldn't be a spaghetti design but would include oceans...
Anyway, here's a reason I would love oceans: long distance voyages done automatically.
You know how we can now build roads which you can have your character follow without going 'click' 'click' 'click' 'click' 'click' 'click' ... providing somebody has put in the work of building the road, you save yourself the hassle, and can go and do something while your character walks.
Now imagine something similar with sailing boats and oceans, except instead of roads you have charts. I know the devs have talked about using the stars at some point for navigation or something. Why not have a skill that lets you take down your location, and place it on a chart. You then use the chart on your boat, i.e. right click it on your wheel or something, to have your boat automatically follow it. Long distance voyages would be much cooler if you could do them without having to star at blue for hours on end just clicking.