why is that an advantage? the fact that you like playing like that doesn't make it the best way to play the game
Fighting without forge earns you double losses vs player with a forge. Poseidon grants you 2x ship speed, which translates in saved time, quicker waiving etc. Saying it doesn't give an advantage is simply not true. You can play however you seem fit, but those miracles are objectively essential if keeping efficiency in mind.
Regarding vacant spots on the islands - it took around 30 mins for some "merger in-line" to fill an empty spot on my island, so it's not always a matter of seconds. I would suggest, if possible, to ready some floaters and try to take important spots by yourself.
Anyways, this is not a "how I like to play" discussion thread, rather than merge issues threat. So not to be completely out of context, cheers to the GF team for solving issues, even if the response was a bit slower than expected