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

UK Port Sees Revenue Boost as Cruise Ship Arrivals Double

Plymouth in the UK sees huge financial boost thanks to an increase in cruise ship arrivals, with double bookings.

Port of Galveston Resumes Cruise Operations After Hurricane Beryl

Following assessments, the Port of Galveston has reopened for cruise operations after the impact of Hurricane Beryl.

MSC Cruises Unveils Exclusive Tours for Yacht Club Guests

MSC Cruises is introducing over 90 exclusive shore excursions for its Yacht Club guests, with priority disembarkation and private transfers.

Princess Cruises Taps Pizza Champion in Latest Celebrity Partnership

Princess Cruises announces a new partnership for its new Sun Princess cruise ship, with world pizza champion Chef Tony Gemignani.

New Disney Wish-Class Cruise Ship to Be Built for Japanese Market

An agreement has been made for a new Disney Wish-class cruise ship to be built by Meyer Werft for the Japanese market.

Royal Caribbean Announces Godmother for New Mega-Ship Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has revealed Meghan Trainor will serve as godmother to its new Oasis-class mega-ship Utopia of the Seas.

Cruise Line Entices Guests With Three World Cruise Segments in 2025

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines announces three shorter sailings as part of its 2025 world cruise onboard the Bolette cruise ship.

Princess Cruises Opens Artist-Inspired Dining Venue on Newest Ship

Princess Cruises opens the new Love by Britto High-End Specialty Restaurant onboard the new Sun Princess cruise ship.

River Cruise vs. Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?

It's time to stack up a river cruise vs ocean cruise, by finding out the differences between the two different types of cruising.