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cortneyloo ~Barcelona I wrote you a novel.
I can definitely give you some places to see/do in Barcelona.
If you are there for a cruise they port near the the Bottom of Las Ramblas and the Columbus Column.
Since you are only there two days, Walk down Las Ramblas, It's about 5 streets that are full of street performers and random shops. In the summer they sell small pets. It's a random and interesting street. Grab a snack or lunch at St. Joseph's market on Las Ramblas. I've been to open air markets in a lot of places and this one is my favorite for color, seafood and jamon.(ham) Ham is a must eat if you are in Spain. AVOID bar Pinxto at the market. It's overpriced and in a guidebook so it's ridiculously expensive.I thought I would try it since I had never been to a guide book recommendation. I regret the choice. 80 euros for 3 very small plates and coffee was not worth it.
From Ramblas walk east toward the Gothic Quarter. The Church in the square is amazing. If you happen to be there on a Thursday or sometimes Saturday they have an open flea market which is very cool. I bought DH a vintage Omega watch there. There is also a brilliant ice cream shop in that square. Ice cream on a fresh waffle can't be beat. If you happen to be in Barcelona on a Sunday Placa Reil has a very cool coin market that is fun to walk through and see locals trade coins and champagne lids. (I don't know why they collect them.) It's also fun to see the gypsies scatter when the police come. Gypsies have their blankets on the ground, grab the corners and run. If they aren't there it is a beautiful area and nice to grab a drink and people watch.
Barcelona is a very walk able city. Their metro and cab system is also very good.
Some sites to see. Home town architect Gaudi's buildings. The Sagrada Famila cathedral. It is still being built. It was just consecrated by the catholic church in November 2011. It is one of the most unique and beautiful spaces I have ever been in. (If you are staying near the port, take a cab or metro to see it I wouldn't walk.)
You can also see some of the homes that Gaudi built and check out the skyline from the roof. They are in the Eixample district which is very art deco and fun to walk through as well. Casa Battlo and Casa Mila. Since you aren't there for a ton of time I would probably walk by the houses and check out the cathedral.
As for food and drinks. My favorite Sangria in the whole wide world is at a place called. L'Antiquari, near the the playa del rei, near the jaume I metro stop. It is a hole in the wall place that homing pigeoned back to when I was there last year. My DH was impressed by my memory. The staff is fun and it's a very old place it's a nice stop on a hot day.
If you are there around a soccer game head into a bar it will be loud and so much fun. They have one of the best teams. I follow them now, I am a converted fan. 
I can't always remember restaurants but as tapas go eat some Jamon Iberico, the region is known for it. Seafood is always fresh. Head off into side streets away from the main tourists and you will have some of the best Spanish food ever.
Random things I've learned from being in Spain that are important. They eat late. They eat dinner around 9pm or later. If you go into a restaurant around 8ish it will either be empty or full of tourists. Barcelona is a bigger city so they don't honor it as much but Siesta time is serious. It's around lunch time and places will close. In the tourist areas not so much but in local areas people go home and relax and eat a very large lunch. When Dh were in small cities last year it looked like the end of the world. There was nobody around. It was weird.
Here is a link to my honeymoon album if you want to see some pictures.
I love this city. Where else are you going on your cruise?
I've been writing this all morning so if it doesn't all make sense I'm sorry and it got a little long winded as well.
Re: cortneyloo ~Barcelona I wrote you a novel.
Gaudi's work is amazing. You never know who is interested in art. I'm a fanatic so museums and buildings are big on my trips.
I typically go with just my Credit Cards and ATM card. I hit up an atm for euros. I know Wells Fargo keeps Euros in the states if you want a few bills on hand. Most ATM's work fine some have given me trouble but I usually find one that will give me money, Caya Catalunya (bank in BCN) i remember works fine for U.S. Cards.
when you are at a restaurant or shopping European cards have chips in them so be prepared to be looked at like you have just given them a rock and are wanting them to click it together. Their credit cards/readers are much faster than ours.
Make sure you call your cards and tell them you are going. They will ask you which countries so you can use your cards.
I have never used a traveler's checks.
Your trip sounds fantastic!
I agree with Eva, we usually just use ATM and credit cards and don't have a problem. When you call your cards, be sure to ask them if they charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees can be quite high, and you don't want any surprises. If you find you do have a high transaction fee, I recommend getting a Capital One card, as they don't charge any foreign fees.