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 Line Adds Ship-to-Resort Experience in the Bahamas

Starting in January 2025, Margaritaville at Sea’s 1,300-guest Paradise will add itineraries to Nassau, Bahamas, with an excursion option to the Margaritaville Beach Resort...

I Cruised Eastern Canada on Holland America: Here’s What I Loved Best

I took cruise in September 2024 on Holland America Line's Zuiderdam cruise ship, which sailed Canada. Here's everything I loved about it!

Construction Begins on Royal Caribbean’s Third Icon-Class Ship

Construction officially begins on Royal Caribbean's third Icon-class cruise ship at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

Panama Canal Launches Season With Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

The Panama Canal has launched its 2024-2025 cruise season with Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas making a transit through.

Hurricane Forces Revised Embarkation Plans for Carnival Cruise Ship

Carnival Cruise Line has informed booked guests about revised embarkation times for Carnival Valor.

Cunard Reveals Over 40 New Itineraries Across the Fleet

Cunard Line launches over 40 new cruises across the fleet, departing from October 2026 to April 2027.

First Royal Caribbean Ship Returns to Labadee After Suspension

Adventure of the Seas becomes the first Royal Caribbean ship to officially return to Labadee, Haiti following suspension.

Norwegian Tweaks Japan Itinerary, Nixes Overnight Osaka Call

Multiple ports are adjusted on one Norwegian Spirit sailing, with the loss of an overnight call in a top Japanese destination.

West Coast Port Welcomes Launch of Mexico Cruise Season

The Port of San Diego in California begins the Mexican Riviera 2024-25 cruise season with Holland America Line.