Crimson Desert Ships, Ocean and Marriage Unlock Guide

By GameDrop Staff · Oct 31, 2026 · Guides · 2 min read

Crimson Desert Charting the Unknown key art — Image: Pearl Abyss

Crimson Desert's Charting the Unknown DLC (patch 2.04.00) went live on October 29, 2026, and the big questions are how to reach the ocean, get a ship and marry an NPC. Here is the unlock path, based on Pearl Abyss's official patch notes.

Ocean quest "A Wider World" starts after the main story's "Howling Hill" and a Greymane camp upgrade.
Ships are a new mount: build via a dispatch mission or buy from a fleetmaster.
Marriage adds a Trust level above the old cap; propose at 100.
The DLC requires the base game, and DLC saves can't load on versions without it.

How do you unlock the ocean in Crimson Desert?

The new ocean quest, "A Wider World", begins once you finish "Howling Hill" in the main story and expand your Greymane camp past a certain level. Pearl Abyss does not give an exact level in the notes. Diving needs no special condition, but a new breath gauge drains underwater. Refining your diving suit raises breath capacity, and some food items restore breath temporarily.

How do you get a ship?

Ships count as a new mount type. The patch notes say you can construct one through a dispatch mission, or buy one from fleetmasters around Pywel. Fleetmasters in Demeniss and Delesyia sell customisation parts. Ships also support maritime trading, with new trade goods added for sea routes. Gamerant lists prices from the Grace Estate vendor: Humble Rowboat 2,000 Camp Funds, Small Hernandian Ship 40,000, Medium 1,200,000 and Large 6,000,000.

What can you do at sea and underwater?

Several uncharted islands can be pioneered through missions, and multiple treasure maps lead to hidden loot. Underwater you will find ruins, chests, new creatures and new underwater mounts, which you tame by subduing or feeding them to build Trust.

Crimson Desert Charting the Unknown screenshot — Image: Pearl Abyss

How does marriage work?

Open Interact, choose Flirt, then use Gift or Chat to raise the new Trust level. Each interaction type counts once per day. At 100 you can propose. Flirting with an NPC as one playable character lowers that NPC's Trust with the other two. Some NPCs have conditions; witches need their sanctum quests done first.

Once married, your spouse gets a map icon, can travel with you, may send gifts, and can live in one of 17 residences built via dispatch missions. You can change your spouse's look at barber shops. Breaking up is possible but costs you.

What else is new?

Expanded housing with free construction, plus two decorable castles (Drakesfall and Flame Knight's).
Stronghold management: run a restaurant, sawmill, smithy or tailor.
Garden of Trials boss rush with 10 groups, after "Journey's End".
New quests for Kliff, Oongka and Damiane.
Banker's Dice minigame in Demeniss and Delesyia.

For launch times and pricing, see our Charting the Unknown release time and price guide.

Verdict

If you've finished the story, the ship and ocean route is the fastest way into the new content, while marriage rewards patience because of the daily Trust limit. Pick one character to flirt with so you don't lose Trust across the others.