Which of these sound better?

[stitch78]

Do one of these excursions:

St. John Island Tour - $55 pp, 10:30AM - 3:00PM

• Enjoy scenic views of the South side of St. Thomas as you traverse majestic Pillsbury Sound by boat to Cruz Bay, St. John Island.
  
• Transfer to a safari truck for a drive through the national park with more than 6,000 acres of beautiful scenery, sparkling beaches, quiet coves, and overlooking coral gardens.
  
• View and photograph the panoramic sights overlooking Cruz Bay, Hawksnest Bay, Caneel Bay Plantation, and Rockefeller’s hideaway resort.
  
• Visit Trunk Bay, rated by the National Park Service as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.
  
• Enjoy swimming, sunning or just sitting in the shade. For those guests wishing to see more of the island, continue driving with the guides to Annaberg Sugar Mill and stroll among the ruins.

Five Star St. John and trunk bay, $59 pp , 12:30-4:30

• Anchor for an hour and a half at world famous Trunk Bay.
  
• Enjoy some fantastic snorkel opportunities with the equipment, instruction and in-water supervision provided.
  
• Sunbathe on the beach, swim in or go ashore by dinghy or watch a movie about the Virgin Islands in the air-conditioned theater.
  
• Enjoy the scenery, while sunbathing on the bow, or in the shade.
  
• Rinse off salt and sand under the fresh water shower.
  
• Sit back with a complimentary glass of rum or fruit punch from the bottomless punch bowls, or other beverages of your choice from the cash bar.

The first one doesn't say how much time is given at the beach. Also the second one says 1.5 hours at Trunk Bay but the total time given is 4 hours. What is going on the rest of the time ? Is that all travel time?

I like the idea of touring in #1 - is that stuff that is good to see?

 

--- OR ---

Go off on our own :

St John - get off the boat around 9:00 and catch the ferry over to St. John to Trunk Bay, stay until about 1:30 - make sure have enough time to get back for the 2PM ferry

St Thomas - go back to boat and change out of bathing suits; do shopping/walking around in St.Thomas (what area is good to see?) Go back on the boat around 7 to get ready for dinner (boat leaves at 8)

 

What time does everything open or close? I think someone said shops close at 5 - is that everywhere or just near the ports?