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 Line Unveils Unlimited Lifetime Cruises With Age-Based Fares

Villa Vie Residences launches a new Golden Passport starting from a one-time payment of $99,999 for unlimited cruises.

Cruise News Update: Short Cruises, Passengers Dead, Landslide, Pulls Out

Let's get going on our busy weekly recap with stories on passengers sadly passing away, Carnival shorter cruises, landslide, Disney pulling out, and more!

Evolved Magic Show Venue With ‘Cardini’ to Debut Aboard Star Princess

The new Star Princess to debut an evolved Spellbound by Magic Castle when it debuts in October 2025.

Virgin Reveals Headliner on 2026 Red Hot Sailing Club Voyage

Virgin Voyages reveals disco icon Nile Rodgers to headline Brilliant lady's Red Hot Sailing Club Voyage.

Eye-Tracking Study Unveils the World’s Most Stunning Cruise Ports

A new study based on eye tracking shows the top 20 cruise ports with the most breathtaking arrival views.

Margaritaville at Sea Promises Spooky Thrills on Halloween Cruises

Margaritaville at Sea details Halloween cruises on Margaritaville Islander and Margaritaville Paradise in September and October.

Star Princess Aces Sea Trials Ahead of October 2025 Launch

Star Princess is another step closer to its October debut following successful sea trials from the Fincantieri shipyard.

WWII Mustang Soars Over White Cliffs in Farewell to Carnival Miracle

A WWII Mustang plane soars over the white cliffs and Carnival Miracle at the Port of Dover as the ship wraps up season.

Cruise News Update: Power Loss, Bad Behavior, Buttergate, Homeport Switch

Let's get you caught up with the big cruise news stories from the past week, including buttergate, power loss, bad behavior, homeport switch and more!