Donna Tunney

Cruise News Writer

Donna Tunney is a travel news/feature writer and editor with 20-plus years covering cruise news, luxury travel, and Europe and UK destinations. A former staffer at Travel Weekly and at the USAToday Network, she also was a luxury travel columnist at Travel Market Report, and a cruise columnist at Sherman's Travel.

How did you get started in cruises?

My first job in the travel industry was copyeditor at the trade publication Travel Weekly in 1990. In 1992 my editors sent me on a cruise assignment to Eastern Canada/New England, and I’ve been hooked on cruising ever since. I eventually became Travel Weekly’s senior cruise editor, in 2011, and continue to be a cruise contributor at the publication.

What makes you a cruise expert?

Covering cruising from a business perspective gave me insights into the market as well as historical knowledge of the industry. I have sailed on about 30 cruises with 14 cruise lines, on both ocean and river ships.

I was a travel and cruise content producer for Travel Market Report, Sherman’s Travel, and TheTravel.com, and held senior editorial positions at regional newspapers in the USA Today Network. I’ve also received three reporting and editing awards from the New England Newspaper & Press Association (2005, 2015, and 2018).

You can check my Muck Rack profile here.

What’s your favorite cruise line?

It’s hard to choose just one, but I’d have to say Cunard, the UK-based luxury line. As a lifelong Anglophile, I enjoy the British atmosphere onboard — the Golden Lion Pub, formal afternoon tea, white glove service in the dining rooms, and more. This is the line that operates the iconic Queen Mary 2, which has, believe it or not, a planetarium onboard.

What’s your top tip for new cruisers?

Start by booking a short itinerary of just two or three nights to see if cruising generally agrees with you before committing to a full week or longer voyage.

You find out more about the Cruise Hive team right here.

2022
Started at Cruise Hive
631
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

MSC Magnifica Begins Dry Dock Refit to Add MSC Yacht Club

MSC Magnifica enters dry dock on Malta to begin a massive upgrade, including a new MSC Yacht Club.

Royal Caribbean Chooses Santorini for First European Beach Club

Royal Caribbean is bringing its first European beach club to Santorini in 2026, offering guests the ultimate Greek island experience ashore.

Star of the Seas (Finally!) Makes Inaugural Call to St. Kitts

Star of the Seas has made it to St. Kitts a month later than originally planned after her first inaugural visit was postponed.

Celebrity Cruises Celebrates Two Edgy Construction Milestones

Celebrity Cruises has taken delivery of Celebrity Xcel and on the same day announced the sixth Edge-class ship as Celebrity Xcite.

Port of Seattle Smashes Record With 1.9M Cruise Arrivals in 2025

Port of Seattle broke passenger, economic, and environmental records for a spectacular cruise season in 2025.

Cruise Line Creates Nostalgic Voyage Based on Classic Flights

Holland America Line is partnering with Pan Am for a classic route that evokes the golden age of travel with 18 port visits.

Ports in French Riviera Move to Regulate Cruise Ship Calls

New rules will limit large cruise ships in Cannes and Villefranche-sur-Mer, with passenger caps and pollution measures set to begin across the French Riviera in 2026.

Forget FOMO—Cruisers Are Choosing JOMO, Says Norwegian Cruise Line Survey

Forget FOMO—travelers now crave JOMO. Norwegian Cruise Line finds cruises are the top choice for unplugging, relaxing, and recharging.

Celebrity Reveals Entertainment Line-Up Aboard New Edge-Class Ship

Celebrity Cruises reveals new shows, dance parties and more in a big entertainment line-up for Celebrity Excel.