An ocean journey with a twist

Imagine that you are on an ocean journey with a twist. There is no itinerary. The purpose is to make the journey. The ultimate goal to come back to the shore where you started. You start on a ship with all of the other passengers. There are a few twists on this journey.

1. You will never lose your life on this journey.
2. You are given a choice. At any point, you may choose that you want to take your own boat and leave the ship and make the journey on your own. Even if you choose to make the journey on the own, you are still given the choice to get back on the ship any point, no questions asked and no judgement made. You gain your experience as you go along in the boat. 
3. The fine print : The way to get back on the shore is on the ship. Every now and then you are given the opportunity to read the contract in the hope that you will read the fine print.