A pile of cards with ships, expeditions, individuals and tax increases is hidden in the center. Each card has printed on the back of a gold coin. The cards are used simultaneously so as currency and Aktionenskarten.
The active player train consists of up to 2 phases:
Phase 1: uncover cards as long as you want or you reveal a ship the same color 2x. One discovers a ship the same color for the second time on, the PORT EXHIBITION (that is the display in the middle, where the cards are revealed and not their own games outside location) gone and is placed on the general discard pile. Did you first hired captains or pirates, you can also fend alternatively uncovered ships (which takes you to higher quality ships and no ships of the same color in the delivery are 2x).
Phase 2: (of course, does not apply if in the first phase a ship derselbigen color was 2x uncovered because then yes the PORT EXHIBITION is gone): Depending on how many vessels of different colors in the port EXHIBITION lie, one must 1-3 map take as an active player. Lying example 1 green, one blue and one yellow ship in the port display, one must take 1 card. Is it a ship, it depends on the discard pile and you get the money value of the vessel. People have to hire and pay. These bring the players bonuses, or serve to fulfill expeditions (high victory point values). Non-active players may now also take a card from the port display, but have to pay a gold at the active players.
That's it!
Now there are 1 page statement at the end of the rule, which entails exactly what a person for benefits.
Conclusion:
The rules are really simple to understand, unless of course, you are reading at all powerful. Unfortunately, it makes the game any better. A rather boring Kartenaufdecken and collecting cards ... not really exciting, but at least the mechanism works. Of course there is this tiny moment of tension when one discovers the card. But unfortunately does not conceal that the game has not much else to offer. 2 stars (4 points BGG)
Addendum 04.14.2015: At the suggestion of Detlef S. (see comments), a few words to Port Royal.
This review is from my personal point of view of the game. I am an absolute high volume players, I often dealing with quite complex games, but also like simple or rather simpler games if they offer me something that has unique selling proposition or unique. For example, "Munchkin" (funny), "Dice Bohnanza" (also between the player trains can operate teammates, without downtime) or also strategic "On to India!" (Novel mechanism of Klötzchenutzung). Port Royal offers me personally simply nothing new and exciting for me is the only moment when the cards are dealt face up. Everything else I know from other games; there also implemented better and more exciting.
I know still a lot of experienced players who like to play Port Royal as a night cap and keep it for a very good game. Only I personally do not like flat. Mechanically it works as I said fine. Game reviews are always purely subjective classify, ählich as films. Tastes are just different.