Quite frankly there is very little to do while you are on the ship and almost all of it is entirely unnecessary. Really the only thing you need to is talk to the captain until you get the option to get off at Coral Beach.
You can run around and talk to Monkey T and all that stuff if you are new to the game. It helps to get used to the controls but if you have played an isometric view RPG before (diablo comes to mind) then there will really be no need for that.
Once you are off the boat you will meet 4 other teachers. Click on them in sequence (they have little numbers over their heads). Be sure to go through their entire conversations because they will give you little rewards like a shield, sword and hat. This equipment is your starting gear and you will need it. Your final tutorial task will be to kill a torrobit and get a carrot. This will net you a pet egg, your first pet.
If you are playing for the first time, pay attention to the tutorial stuff it is actually quite helpful.
