I read and re-read all of your criteria a number of times and the following point is what helped me make a decision:
4.) All divers on the boat are as capable or more so than you
Given that criteria, as well as the others, I'd probably choose to try and find a compatible buddy to share the dive experience with. I enjoy making new dive friends and sharing experiences. That being said, in reality and the real dive world I live in, criteria #4 is very rare for me. Thus, I choose to dive solo and enjoy everyone's company on the boat ride out, back and the surface intervals.
4.) All divers on the boat are as capable or more so than you
Given that criteria, as well as the others, I'd probably choose to try and find a compatible buddy to share the dive experience with. I enjoy making new dive friends and sharing experiences. That being said, in reality and the real dive world I live in, criteria #4 is very rare for me. Thus, I choose to dive solo and enjoy everyone's company on the boat ride out, back and the surface intervals.