as I was continuing my search for St. John villas - a wonderful woman at an Travel Agency raved about Tortola. Less cruise ships, less mosquitoe's etc! Your thoughts?

Tortola is a nice island, with more accomodations right on the beach, however the beaches are not as nice as the beaches on St John. Remember St John is 65% national park and the beaches are pretty pristene. I disagree that there are less mosquitos on Tortola all the Virgin Islands, US and British have insects.
There are no cruise ships at all docking at St John, there is no cruise ship dock. The only cruisers are those that dock in STT and make the trip. There is a cruise ship dock on Tortola but it gets far fewer ships than STT. I know that you're the same person who's concerned with the building going on on St John. You may find it somewhat quieter on Tortola or Virgin Gorda.

I am the same person, I am driving myself insane, and my husband I need to just pick a place and never look on the web again!

Several cruise ships anchor on the outskirts of Trunk Bay on St. John (my in-laws were just swimming there from their cruise!) but you really don't notice it. They are gone by mid-afternoon anyway. Been to Tortolla and STJ, STJ hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Go to BVI and day trip to USVI.

Go to USVI and daytrip to BVI!
If you're looking for all-around pristine beauty, peace and quiet, then St John is the place for you. You can easily day trip by ferry over to St. Thomas for a busier atmosphere, shopping, etc. and can daytrip over to the BVIs either by ferry or charter.

Not sure if you would like to take a vacation at another island. You could try the Sandcastle on Jost Van Dyke. I was just there and the most wonderful experiance. It was very relaxed, low key, and barely anything on the island. I will go back in a heatbeat and I think I was spoiled there to try anything else.