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 News Update: Ice Warning, Clash at Private Island, Cancellations

In this weeks roundup we've got all kinds of cruise news, including cancellations, UFO's, passengers clashing, ice warning and more!

TUI Cruises’ New Mein Schiff Flow Reaches Construction Milestone

TUI Cruises second huge InTUItion class Mein Schiff Flow reaches a major construction milestone at the Fincantieri shipyard.

Celebrity Cruises to Invest $250M in Refits to All Solstice-Class Ships

Celebrity Cruises details a massive $250 million investment to upgrade all of its Solstice class cruise ships.

No Limits Ahead as Sitka Voters Defeat Cruise Cap Proposal

A proposal to limits cruises in Sitka with 4,500 per person per day cap and a 300,000 annual arrivals cap has been defeated.

Top 10 Busiest US Cruise Homeports

It's time to find out the official top 10 busiest cruise homeports in the United States, including major hubs in Florida.

Disney Cruise Line Makes a Major Move for Galveston, Texas

According to a Galveston City Council meeting, Disney Cruise Line is looking at basing a ship year-round from 2027.

Cruise News Update: Itinerary Changes, Princess Cruises Captain, New Ships

Another full week round-up of the biggest cruise news from Cruise Hive including the passing of a captain, new ships, Carnival itinerary changes and more!

Stormy Skies Ahead for Cruise Season as NOAA Warns of Active Year

NOAA is prediction an above-normal year for the 2025 hurricane season, which could mean more cruise impacts.

Dover Marks Summer Season Launch With 4 Maiden Ship Calls

The Port of Dover's cruise season is thriving with four inaugural calls for May 2025, including from Carnival Cruise Line.