Madrid & Barcelona prior to a cruise: advice on possible itinerary

it looks like a good plan!

I would suggest just using Madrid as a hub and doing day trips to Toledo. That way you don't have to move around as much.

I like Toledo better than Madrid so would prefer to spend the night there, but it is indisputable that Madrid is much livelier. Edited to add: I meant to state explicitly that I was referring to the atmosphere in the evening.

Agree with Rizell, stay in Madrid and do a day trip to Toledo, which is indeed amazing, but one full day there should be ok.
Madrid is a big city totally different from a small town like Toledo, but it's lively, there's a lot to see, the museums, the different plazas, the Palacio real, etc etc.
You won't have enough time in Madrid, but that's the life of a traveller: choices. :-)
Have a great trip
Claude

Good plan. I loved Toledo and see nothing wrong with spending a night there after Madrid. That's only 3 hotels in 9 days and then no more moving once you're on the ship.

If you have a lot of luggage, you can take it all to Atocha station (Madrid) and leave it in a locker, just take a small overnight bag to Toledo.

Thanks for the advice everyone! It's been most helpful.

We spent an evening in Toledo and really enjoyed it. It is very different when the day trippers leave, and rather quiet and pleasant in the am. In Madrid, we spent two nights at Hotel Europa on the Puerta del Sol. It is a smallish hotel, very clean, fresh with pleasant staff. I would recommend it. It was very reasonably priced and fun to be in that area for a couple nights.