Torbe - I tested creating a player with your account and the serial number that we have registered and everything worked properly. Maybe it was a type issue?
Jamest65, Tyjenks, Celestial LIght & IIWrath, please visit our registration page ( https://www.galciv2.com/registration.aspx ) and register your serial number first. Then go back to the character creation page. Most likely that will get everything straightened out for you.
Telparion - I tested logging into the Metaverse (within the game) using your account details and it worked properly. So your account appears to be in proper order. So as you are suspection it probably is a connection related issue.
All the communication done between the game and the servers is done through port 80. I really don't have much else to suggest at this point other than dropping an email to cbegle@stardock.com and apowell@stardock.com to ask for more assistance. If you send them and email please also send them your debug.err file that is in your GalCiv2 installation folder.