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
645
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

New York City Passes Legislation on Cruise Ship Power Requirement

New York City council votes on requiring cruise ships to connect to shore power at its terminals, including Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Danish Port Celebrates Rise in Cruise Ship Calls

Copenhagen is on the rise with almost 300 cruise ships welcomed in 2023, bringing in over 750,000 passengers and a busy 2024 expected.

Carnival Cruise Ship Returns to Service With New Venue

The Carnival Sunrise cruise ship returns to service with a newly added venue after a dry dock that took place in Cadiz, Spain.

Cruise Line’s New Flagship to Sail 43 Countries in 180 Days

Oceania Cruises new Vista Cruise Ship to sail first World Voyage that will visit 43 countries, 1010 ports, across 180 days.

Cruise News Update: Cruise Delay, Cancellations, Rescue

It's time for another weekly cruise news update from Cruise Hive, with a carnival ship rescue, Royal Caribbean delay, and cancellations.

Crystal Cruises Reschedules Chairmen’s Cruise

Crystal Cruises reschedules its special Chairmen's Cruise to set sail in November 2024, due to the Red Sea tensions.

Luxury Retail Concepts to Entice Cruisers on New Cunard Ship

Cunard Line details retail options, including new luxury brands on its new Queen Anne vessel that will debut in April 2024.

Royal Caribbean Rolls Out Shorter Sailings, Two Ships at LA

Royal Caribbean rolls out new short getaways, including another ship out of Los Angeles and Wonder of the Seas change.

New Princess Cruises Ship Features Over 25 First-At-Sea Retail Brands

Princess Cruises details its retail options onboard its new Sun Princess vessel, with more than 25 first-at-sea brands.