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

Can Cosmic Mapping Find the Perfect Cruise? Royal Caribbean Thinks So

Astrology enthusiasts can take advantage of Royal Caribbean's astrocartography-led vacations in partnership with a lead astrologer.

Cruise News Update: Loyal Backlash Continues, Captain Passes, Increases

Another week of cruise news, including continued loyalty backlash, captain passing away, dining increases, fees and more!

New TV Show Goes Behind the Scenes on Two Holland America Ships

New Channel 4 TV show to go behind the scenes and follow two Holland America cruise ships across the oceans.

Canadian Firm to Handle Payments on Virgin Voyages’ Sailor App

Virgin Voyages selects Nuvei to power its purchases onboard its ships, including the cruise line's app.

Dining Costs Climb on Disney Cruises, But Not Everywhere

Disney Cruise Line is increasing specialty adult dining venue prices across the fleet, including for Palo, Remy, Enchante and more!

Belfast Port Marks Major Milestone With Princess Cruises

The Port of Belfast in Northern Ireland celebrates its 1,500th cruise ship call with Regal Princess, marking a major milestone.

Cruise News Update: Leaps from Pier, Lost Loyalty, Cabin Waste Flood

Let's get going with a full weekly cruise update, including Carnival's loyalty program, Royal Caribbean upgrades, waste flood, leaping from the pier and more!

Coast Guard Investigates Cruise Ship’s Mishap at Port of Juneau

The US Coast Guard has opened an investigation after Celebrity cruise ship breaks from moorings and almost hits another in Juneau.

Disney Cruise Line to Debut New Retail Spaces on Disney Adventure

Disney Cruise Line details the shopping experience for the new Disney Adventure with almost 17,000 square feet of retail space.