Some tips:
Don't put money in the bank, you will lose money. Keep it to yourself is the best way.
Going around to see whether there is an intelligence agent of your country to bring back to your home city. Will increase Loyalty by 12.
You earned 1 pt of Nobility for each new port you visited.
Going around near your home city to periodically check the tavern for the estate dealer to buy estates when you have enough money.
Going to the Mediterranean to get a symbol collection.
My format rate of soldier/sailor/apprentice when you afford them is 2/1/0 (the soldier double the size of the sailor. No apprentices
)
Wait for time when all the country is allied or neutral to your home country before embarking to the faraway ports (US, or African). Otherwise, you will get killed by enemy ships.
St Petersbourg, Stockholm, Glasgow, Tanjier is some ports you can always go to.