This guide is so you know how long you can keep spirits with you on your boat, while still progressing in the game.

For some, you have no option, while other characters you can actually keep around the entire game if you so choose, while still accessing every part of the map.

I've also included information on what you can do to avoid a spirit asking you to go to the Everdoor as long as possible (personally, I can't keep them on board once they ask - that just feels wrong. But I can avoid doing the mission that triggers them to leave).

Before you cross the ice barrier, you can pick up:

Gwen
Astrid
Atul
Summer
Alice

*You will meet Gustav, but you cannot pick him up without crossing the ice barrier.

Unfortunately, you do not have a choice - in order to get a spirit flower to get the icebreaker and progress in the game, you have to release Gwen to the Everdoor. None of the others can have their missions fulfilled in the starting area.

Once you have crossed the ice barrier, you can pick up:

Gustav
Giovanni

In order to get the rock breaker to cross the rock barrier, once again, you do not have a choice, you will have to release Alice and Summer.

Once you have crossed the rock barrier, you can pick up:

Bruce & Mickey
Beverly
Stanley

In order to get the Mist Cleaner 1000 to cross the mist barrier, you will need to release three spirits. Here you have a choice! You will be able to pick any of the following to be your three:

Stanley
Giovanni
Astrid
Atul
Beverly

NOTE: You cannot release Astrid without first releasing Giovanni and once you release Giovanni, Astrid's story will play out and she will ask to be released. They are a package deal.

Once you've cross the mist barrier, you can keep the rest of the spirits on the boat while being able to access all parts of the map.

The spirits you can keep as long as you want:

Astrid*
Giovanni*
Beverly*
Stanley*
Atul*
Bruce & Mickey
Elena
Gustav
Jackie
Buck (Buck does not go through the Everdoor)

*Provided you did not release them to cross the mist barrier. You can only have two of these five on board the whole game.

NOTE: Daria is an exception as she only joins you on the boat in order to go to the Everdoor, though you can keep her around at the hospital if you want to interact with her more.

Alice - Building the wardrobe for Alice results in her wanting to go to Nordweiler. Once you go there after this mission has been triggered, over a few days a few missions will trigger one after the other and the game will direct you to take her through the Everdoor. You can choose not to dress as Annie, but then she'll be stuck on the prow of the boat.

Astrid - Once you've taken Gio to the Everdoor, she'll ask to go too a few days later.

Atul - After you have given him all three meals for the dinner, once you go to Hummingberg, Atul will vanish (he does not go to the Everdoor).

Beverly - Do not project the acetate you get from Nordweiler in the archive room to avoid triggering Beverly's mental decline, which will take place over a few days and result in directing you to take her to the Everdoor.

Bruce & Mickey - Once you get 100 peaches, Bruce will ask you to take them to the Everdoor.

Buck - Buck never goes through the Everdoor.

Daria - Once you complete the 4th Mind Palace level, you will be contacted via your pager to return to the island. If you want to visit the island without triggering Daria's journey to the Everdoor, don't complete the 4th Mind Palace level.

Elena - Once you have successfully completed all three challenges marked on the map, Elena will ask to go to the Everdoor.

Giovanni - Once you build him the lounge, he will ask to go to the Everdoor. If you want him keep him with Astrid, don't give him the flowers.

Gustav - As soon as you add the clock to his room, he will ask you to take him to the Everdoor.

Gwen - After going to Villa Maggiore, Gwen will ask you to give her the music box. Once you give it to her, it will trigger the start of events that will lead to her asking to go to the Everdoor.

Jackie - Once you add the self-help books to his room, he will ask you to take him to the Everdoor about a day later.

Lily - Doesn't go to the Everdoor.

Stanley - Stanley is a bit unique as his last mission requires you to talk to other spirits. If you want to be able to talk to other spirits and use the cellar without triggering the Stanley missions that will prevent you from talking to them without completing his mission, I would suggest you pause Stanley's missions when he asks you to give him a "fakinhage" (an egg) by not giving it to him.

Summer - Once you go to the Aluminum Dragon, she will ask to go to the Everdoor.