Never actually played Dragonborn DLC, tips?

Long story short, the only time I ever tried going to Solstheim my character was way under leveled and got immediately wrecked on the shore and I've literally never tried even starting that questline since...and mind you, this was back when the special edition was first released for the PS4.

So, what do you guys think is essential to safely travel to Solstheim and successfully play through the Dragonborn questline? Around what level do you think is appropriate? Any suggested perks, spells, or shouts? My current character who I'm trying to do a major play through with is a high elf mage mainly focused on destruction and alteration, with a bit of conjuration for the dual atronachs. No mods!