Quick answer
Outside a Free Fly, you need a Game Package for continued access to Star Citizen. A Standalone Ship is an individual ship and does not provide game access by itself.
What is a Game Package?
If you want to continue playing outside a Free Fly, you need a Game Package. Check the distinction carefully: a Game Package includes game access; a Standalone Ship alone does not.
A Game Package does not require a mandatory monthly fee. Ship upgrades, extra ships, skins, subscriptions and cosmetic items are optional. Treat your first package as access to the game, not as a permanent commitment to one ship or playstyle.
Which Starter Pack is enough for beginners?
The right package depends less on which ship is supposedly the best and more on your budget, how certain you are about buying, and the activities that interest you. Whatever you choose must explicitly include Star Citizen game access.
If you are unsure, the least expensive suitable Game Package is usually the sensible choice. Star Citizen is still in alpha, so do not buy an expensive package simply because a ship looks impressive in the store.
Starting small gives you time to learn. Depending on the current game state, you may be able to try, rent or earn other ships in-game. RSI also offers some paid upgrade paths, but availability varies and applied upgrades are permanent.
You can find the currently available Game Packages in the official RSI store.
Still undecided?
The Avenger Titan is a versatile all-rounder for players who want to sample several activities. It is not the cheapest option, so treat it as a considered choice rather than a default recommendation.
Its cargo space, interior and combat capability make the Avenger Titan flexible for deliveries, light cargo work and early bounty contracts. Those conveniences are useful, not essential.
The downside is the price. The Avenger Titan costs more than the least expensive Game Packages. If that is more than you want to spend, or you are not yet sure whether Star Citizen is right for you, choose a cheaper Game Package or wait for a Free Fly. You can still upgrade later; an eligible upgrade generally costs the difference between your current ship and the target ship.
Availability, names and package contents can change. Check the current Game Packages overview and never buy based only on a promotional image.
The core recommendation remains simple: do not buy more than you need. A more expensive ship cannot fix poor performance or make the alpha state suit you. Test first and decide later whether further spending makes sense.