This is the usual reference to the Frommer's article but be aware that Mr. Berger's comments have a number of inaccuracies. I am always surprised Frommer didn't catch the errors or the poster who constantly references that article.

You are asking a pretty broad question and, unfortunately, some posters might rip on you for taking a cruise. But it can be a very economical and convenient way to see a lot of Europe quickly. A high percentage of your fellow travelers on the cruise will be independent travelers like yourself. While ship's excursions are expensive, they do take care of everything. Therefore, if you are traveling independently then you have to do all that work yourself. Which means -- guide books, DVDs on each port, google every port -- a lot of homework. Well beyond what we can do for you here. Join the cruisecritic.com board for your ship and cruise dates. That will establish links with other passengers who will be doing what you want to do.

In short, when you hit the port you will need a basic understanding of what you want to see and do in that area, basic understanding of public transit, tour options, a good map, and I think, most importantly, the nearest TI. TI is where you can obtain good, inexpensive local tours. Cruise ships always have a port orientation prior to each port with good information but not a sub for doing your homework.

After you have done some of your homework. Come back with specific question related to that port.

thanks for the info will do !!

As Frank (Centennial) has suggested, connect with cruisecritic.com. You can get information on each port by clicking onto "ports" on the orange band at the top, finding your cruise region and then your ports. There is also a message board where you can post questions and perhaps arrange to meet up with other passengers on your ship (if that floats your boat, so to speak).

On our last cruise, I browsed the activities for each city on tripadvisor. We found some great excursions - usually 50% off what the cruise was charging because we booked directly on the activity/sites website.

On tripadvisor.com, just "search" the city you are going to and then click on "Things to do"

I have a love hate relationship with cruises. I love only having to pack and unpack once. You get the opportunity to see where you want to return and explore more than a half of a day or if you are lucky a full day. What I don't like is too much good food!
Something else to consider is that not all the ports are close to the city you are going to, ie, Florence, Rome are about an hour and a half away from the port. So that's 3 hours RT. I suggest a tour for the ports that are far away. If you dock in the city itselsf or very close to the city, you can do that on your own. Often times, the cruise ship will have buses taking people back and forth as a service. Rememeber to if the tour bus is late for whatever reason, they ship will wait for the bus. That is not the case for people going out on their own. As a first timer, I highly suggest taking the tours to the big cities. You could also consider private tours. All in all I like cruises. I do prefer self travel these days as I have been traveling a lot. You will enjoy your trip I am sure.
For a Barcelona hotel, google it and stay close to Las Ramblas, main street. Only you know what works for you. I have spent days looking for an apt in Prague because I was looking for something particular.
Happy Travels!

Go to the cruisecritics.com forums. you will get tons of help there.

Small technicality -- left, right, up, down who cares if the posting is accurate or if the reference is correct along as it is another posting and it reasonably close. The earlier posting contained the information that it was a five minute walk to the train station in Naples from the harbor. Of course, anyone who has been in Naples knows that it is much more than a five minute walk and it is not an area that you would want to walk through anyway. So why don't we all stick to posting what we know and not what someone else might say. Might improve the quality of some postings.

The point I was trying to make, although perhaps too subtly, was that, if you're going to rob something just to make a post, at least have enough knowledge to make sure it stands unblemished in its new context.

Ms. Brown is undoubtedly a very intelligent person and contextually her comment could have referred to a change in altitude or a direction from where she was standing when she made the statement.

all this info has been so helpful!!! thank you so much!! but more advise is always needed and appreciated

Ms. Brown apparently doesn't know up from down -- Amalfi being south of Naples and all.