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

Cruise Lines Rolling Out Labor Day Sales With Fare Cuts, Credits, and More

Cruise Lines launch Labor Day cruise deals, with reduced deposits, huge savings, onboard credit, and more!

Australia Eyes Robust Summer Season as 63 Ships Offer Itineraries

Australia is set to host 63 cruise ships during its summer season, spanning from October to April, across 24 cruise lines.

Carnival Firenze Sets Sights on US East Coast After South America Journeys

Carnival Firenze to sail from Miami and New York in 2027 following special sailings around South America.

Margaritaville at Sea Unveils New 3-Night, 2-Port Bahamas Getaways

Margaritaville at Sea introduces new 3-night, 2-port short sailings from Port of Palm Beach in Florida to the Bahamas.

Cruise News Update: Cruise Cancellations, Passenger Incidents, Storm

Another busy week of cruise news and we've got all the major stories, including Carnival ship rocked by storm, Princess Cruises overboard, and more!

Carnival Panorama Guests Warned of Parking Shortage at Long Beach

Carnival Panorama guests warned of parling limitations at Port of Long Beach and alternative methods are advised.

Cruise Guests Charged With Using Fraudulent Gift Cards to Pay For Sailing

Two cruise guests arrested for alleged gift card fraud, and using them to pay for their Miami cruise, a third non-passenger was also arrested.

Changes at the Top as Norwegian Cruise Line President Steps Down

Norwegian Cruise Line president David Herrera suddenly steps down, Harry Sommer temporarily takes over the position.

Celebrity Priority Booking Access for New River Cruises to Open

Celebrity Cruises to open Priority Booking Access on September 3 and guests will be among the first to gain itinerary and cabin details.