Thank you Betsy and JulieVikmanis!
Will check out your recommendations re Barcelona!!!!!! And thank you for such reassuring information about our Venice accommodations and Cruise line!
We are indeed getting extremely excited about our trip!!!!! e

JulieVikmanis, After reading reviews and checking out location, was very excited about the Hotel Pulizer but have been unable to hear back from them.
Thank you again so much for your helpful input and reassurances about our trip!!!!!
Also Betsy, will be looking again at Jazz! e

We have booked a room at the Hotel Montecarlo in Barcelona! Thanks to everyone for all your help on this! Now I can get started researching all the Ports of Call....

Just make sure you are prepared for the weather. Nov can be chilly (if not cold) almost everywhere - esp on the water and esp at night. Also, in some ares this is the rainy season.

So make sure your wardrobes allow for this - as in layers, rain jacket and waterproofed walking shoes and sturdy folding umbrella. Both cities will have a lot of walking - but Venice is flat except for the bridges over the canals.

Some of your ports of call will involved climbing hills - so be sure you have factored this into your plans when deciding what tours to take. (Many of the Amalfi coast towns are cut into the side of a cliff, for instance.)

nytraveler, thank you for your advice! I had been wondering about the weather. Our daughter and son-in-law took our tour bus through Italy a few years ago and she had suggested layering and wearing a lightweight jacket w/hood over it.. But is sounds like a heavier, lined waterproof coat would be better!
Also, hadn't even thought about waerproofed shoes!!
Thanks again!!!