Will be Como on Sunday, Nov 6. Ferry schedule changes Nov 7 and choices are greatly curtailed which I knew. So the question is should I include Menaggio and Cernobbio as I know Bellagio and Varenna are musts. Should I consider taking the ferry from Como to the farthest point I can go to just go for the ride around the lake.

I have all the bus schedules so just have to figure out how to get whereever and back. Thanks.

You're only at Lake Como for one day? Are you spending any nights at the lake, and if so where? Or are you coming for the day from somewhere else, like Milan, and need to return at the end of the day?

I would need more info about your overall plan and much would depend on the weather, but, for me, I'd be thinking about particular sights to see, not specific towns. There will be some restaurant closures in Bellagio and Varenna and possibly Cernobbio, so if you're hoping for a memorable lunch and/or dinner I would research your options and make reservations.

What a dummy! Frantically getting ready so left out so much! Arrive from airport and just going to Como to decompress before I spend a month in Italy. Will be there Sunday afternoon, Monday and Tuesday. Solo, 59+++++. female and don't care about food or wine (unfortunately) but LOVE old towns, wandering and markets.

"... just going to Como to decompress..."

Are you staying in Como or elsewhere on the lake? Pick one of the towns that will still have decent ferry service.

What sights do you want to see? You're going to find it rather quiet in most of the small towns. With reduced ferry service, I would focus on specific sights and work out the ferry rides for those first and then add any towns that make sense. I would focus the sightseeing on the leg of the lake between Como and the mid-lake towns on the traghetto route. If you want to take long, scenic ferry rides, don't use the rapid ferries.

List of towns and their market days.

https://mylakecomo.co/en/lake-como-village-markets/

Sunday will most probbly be sunny. Max temperatures 15 degrees centigrade. So you may risk to take a boat.
BTW: why should Varenna and Bellagio be musts?

Where are you staying?
Why is Varenna a must?