The last thing I want to do is start yet another MW vs OB fast travel flame war...but had some thoughts about travel in Skyrim

My understanding is that there are going to be lots of rivers in Skyrim - so do you like the idea of boats/ships traveling up and down the rivers with you having the ability to jump on? I picture sitting on a boat floating down a river and going between towns (while I enjoy the scenery). Same for caravans going through (potentially) dangerous territory (otherwise you could just run/ride to your destination alone). I'm thinking along the lines of World of Warcraft's ships between continents (I think the game is garbage...but having ships travel between ports in real time was one of the things I thought added a bit of immersion).

Basically, I love the idea of these going to hard-to-reach areas to make them useful (either due to danger of journey or geographic isolation).

And who knows - if they incorporate fishing perhaps you could fish off the side while floating down a river/crossing a lake...

What do you guys think?

I'd definitely like boats in the game. And if you could ride them it would make it wonderful to watch the landscapes go by. Of course, you should be able to control the boats as well.

Yes absolutely. It adds more immersion to traveling. It gives it an explanation.

It also makes sense sociologically and demographically. Towns need some sort of transport, especially for trading. Whether it's used for fast travel or just there for "visual" purposes, it really should be there. It would be pretty unrealistic for towns not to have some sort of transportation to other towns...

If the world is big, then I'd love to see boats and caravans. Especially if I can use them for trade, see other people using them for trade (and perhaps rob them highwayman style), or be able to join a caravan as a mercenary - escorting them along well traveled and dangerous roads alike. That could be really cool if they've put more diversity and believability into NPC voices and dialogue. Something as simple as being a caravan guard could turn into a really memorable adventure, traversing the whole of Skyrim.

To see other use them for trade as well, and perhaps help or accompany them? Definitely. Would be great if it was the way you explained it.

Sounds good to me. It would be amazing to catch a boat down river, and watch all the scenery go by... have a chat with the crew, play a game of cards maybe...

I would like that system too. The Silt Striders were cool, but it wasn't cool that they were there all the time, a little bit of waiting would add to immersion.

Of course Id like that. Why would you not like that?

This would be awesome. Say you can either pay your way onto a boat that's already moving or stow away in the cargo hold. If you've paid your way you can go to sleep after selecting your destination along the boat's course. You can hop off at any settlement along the way they're travelling. If you've stowed away you get the same thing but you can't be seen and there's also a chance that somebody will find you based on your sneak skill, in which case you get thrown overboard in the wilderness. And finally, if you've paid your way you can stay up on deck to witness the boat's course, talking to the crew or fishing off the side.

There could even be river pirates and random encounters with other boats! Oh this would be brilliant!

yes and be able to use small one man rowboats...