starting over!?

[gr8wht]

Hey all,
I'm new to this site and a POTCO addict. I have a question. Do you have to start over ever time you re-up your membership to the game? I met a player last night who had basic access and then bought a game pass at Target. She had gotten to lvl 10 on basic and then when she put in the code from the pass it made her start all over. If you have to start over everytime, what is the point? I love my pirate and I am looking forward to the cool stuff we are going to be able to do in February for our pirates, I don't want to start over!!!

Thanks all