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
639
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

Cruise Line to Roll Out a Barrel of Bourbon Fleetwide

Holland America Line is introducing an exclusive single barrel select bourbon, which has been bottled and shipped fleetwide for guests to enjoy.

San Juan Cruise Port Completes Major Milestone

A significant milestone has been reaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Global Ports Holding taking control of the port and big upgrades starting.

Celebrity Chefs to Join Epic MSC World Cruise

Three celebrity chefs will be on board the second leg of MSC Poesia's 2024 world cruise, that is already sailing.

Port Readies for Big Spike in Cruise Ship Arrivals

With bookings 40% up, the cruise port located on the UK's south coast is expecting over 10,000 passengers in 2024.

Cruise News Update: Hits Pier, Private Island Tax, Service Charge

We've got another cruise news updates from the past week, with Carnival ship hitting pier, private island tax, godmother, and more!

‘The Love Boat’ Cast Reunites on Cruise to Canada and New England

Princess Cruises details The Love Boat themed cruises featuring the iconic cast members, for the Enchanted Princess vessel.

Royal Caribbean Ship Alters Ports as Poor Weather Hits South Pacific

Royal Caribbean informs guests on the February 7 Quantum of the Seas sailing of an itinerary change due to weather conditions.

Cunard Enjoys Double-Digit Booking Spike in January

Carnival's Cunard Line reports enjoys double digit booking spike for the month of January ahead of its new Queen Anne vessel.

‘Love Boat’ Cruise Line Welcomes Special Valentine’s Day Guest

Princess Cruises Celebrations Ambassador Jill Whelan is joining guests aboard Royal Princess for a special event ahead of Valentines Day.