We would know more about each other perhaps if we had a forum to connect with each other. Lots of special missions pop up to earn free stuff and, sales on ships etc. Would be nice to able to make a post in a WOW forum alerting others as to what is happening.
We also have a clan group set up you guys can join. Again, the hardcore regulars play at night approx. 8pm west coast (US) time until around 11 - 1130. When I am home I am on and off all day so feel free to add me (Codpiece_XI) There are a few others who pop on earlier as well.
As SOB said the game is free. You can have a ton of fun without spending a dime. Or, you can purchase a specific ship or "gold doubloons" , signal flags, or purchase a premium account. However, as I said you don't need to. You can have a ton of fun for free. The other good thing is the rounds a fairly short. I would say they average 15 min and often times less. So if you just want to take a quick break to game during the day this is the perfect way.
For the Euros that are interested the sad thing is the servers are geographical in nature. There is a North American one, and a European one etc. However, I have played with Europeans before so there is a way to play on the North American server but I don't know how to do it. May be @Sonovabich knows.
@Ruggerxi what do you think about setting up a World of Warships forum. Looks like we have a growing interest in the game with our members.