What is Abyssea?

Abyssea is what transforms FFXI from what it was in the days of the 75 cap into a newly accessible game; it's a series of nine new areas with content for people levels 75-99; Think of it as an alternate universe Vana'diel where people from our Vana'diel can get what basically amounts to superpowers. Most of your post-75 levelling (post-65 for mages) will be done in Aby, and there is some great non-levelling content, too.

It's a bit different from regular zones, though -- for one, your time there is limited. In order to move around in Abyssea, you'll need Visitant Status.

Level 30: Getting Started in Abyssea
Wait, level 30? Didn't I just say it was level 75+ content? Well, yes, but the preparation for Abyssea can and should be started as soon as you hit level 30, since this is the minimum level for entrance into the Abyssea zones. First, make sure that you have registered all 3 of the Abyssea expansion packs and then head to Port Jeuno for a cutscene involving Joachim, then speak to him to get your first Traverser Stone. From this point, a timer starts and you will be able to obtain a new Traverser Stone every 20 hours (at first). Each Traverser Stone can be redeemed for 30 minutes of Visitant status. In the beginning, you'll be able to carry a maximum of 3 Traverser Stones at once, but they will continue accumulating, so if you get started at 30, by the time you reach 75 you won't have to worry about running out.

The level 30 preparation doesn't stop there, though.

Next, you'll want to head to one of the Cavernous Maws that lead to Abyssea. These look the same as the ones for WotG, but will be in different locations. The Maws are located as follows:

Visions of Abyssea (75+ zones)
Abyssea - La Thene -> La Theine Plateau (E-4)
Abyssea - Konschtat -> Konschtat Highlands (I-12)
Abyssea - Tahrongi -> Tahrongi Canyon (H-12)

Scars of Abyssea (85+ zones, where Empyreal boots drop)
Abyssea - Misareaux -> Valkurm Dunes (I-9)
Abyssea - Vunkerl -> Jugner Forest (J-8)
Abyssea - Attowha -> Buburimu Peninsula (F-7) ((near ...