is there anything in the ship i can try taking with me when i leave? I have tried but cannot figure out how to open boxes, barrels etc. The pillows have $ values ut i can't pick them up.

just need a little pointing the right direction.

thanks

I do believe you have to wait until you've disembarked...

Pointing on an item will indicate if it is openable. Spacebar will open stuff unless locked, and watch out to be sure it isn't trapped. Use probes to disarm traps and keys and lockpicks for locks.

You can't do most stuff, like jumping, picking up things and going into 3rd person perspective, until you've finished creating your character. You can return to the ship AFTER creating your character, though. Just backtrack through the census office, or levitate, or Jump.