Wrong, it's a more realistic world. If you can see it, you can usually go there. More free roaming less "one little path you are not allowed to step out of"
Believe me, at least a third of the world map is optional. You can go there anytime but watch out... (Flashbacks to the terror of wandering into the Feywoods when he was supposed to be going to Mt. Burimace... for those who don't know, there is like a 30 level difference with the monsters)
Think less FFX more like an MMO, like WoW. It's pretty open ended. But the airship pretty much works like FFX I'm afraid.