They each have their merits and at some time you need to do both, alot! If I’m diving anywhere in the Keys or even SE Florida we do a run to see the sunset from Mallory Square at least one night during the trip.
Being a newbie diver which would you be more comfortable with an easy shallow dive and then navigating back to the boat or zooming along the reef following a guide knowing the boat will be there at the end of the drift dive? How about swim thru’s, are you comfortable in tight spaces? Make sure the guide in Coz knows you are a freshly minted diver so they can keep an eye on you.