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

Celebrity Chef’s Venue Expanding to More Princess Cruises’ Ships

The Makoto Ocean specialty dining venues is being added to Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess in fall 2025.

Princess Cruises Doubling Ship Deployment to Japan in 2027

Princess Cruises details its largest-ever deployment in Japan with Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess in 2027.

Overboard Passenger Rescued From Cruise Ship in Baltic Sea

A drunk cruise passenger from the AIDAnova vessel was rescued after jumping overboard in the Baltic Sea.

Residential Cruise Ship Fails CDC Health Inspections, Scored 81

The World cruise ship, Villa Vie Odyssey, has failed health inspections by the CDC, which noted violations and a score of 81.

First Funnel Removed from SS United States for Museum Restoration

Massive funnel removed from the iconic SS United States ocean liner for museum restoration.

Celebrity Cruises Reveals 175 Voyages Across Six Global Regions

Celebrity Cruises reveals new itineraries around the world for 2027-2028, including extended Alaska season, new ship, overnights and more!

Cruise News Update: Guest Tumbles, NCL Waterpark, Stinging, Tsunami & More

Your weekly cruise news roundup, with a guest taking a tumble, NCL's new waterpark, bees causing a problem for Carnival, tsunami and more!

Carnival’s Costa Brand Pulls Out of Middle East Due to Fluid Situation

Costa Cruises decides to pull out of the Middle East due to the fluid situation, which remains unpredictable for the foreseeable future.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings released another earnings update, with record revenues and occupancy levels.