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

Princess Cruises Unveils Incentive to Boost Loyalty Plan Levels

Princess Cruises unveils a new loyalty accelerator program for passenger, allowing double the cruise credits.

It’s ‘Grinchmas’ in July for Carnival Cruise Line Guests Down Under

Carnival Cruise Line's Grinchmas sailings in Australia for July 2024 have already sold out.

Carnival Provides Update As Tropical Storm Alberto Threatens Galveston

The Port of Galveston in Texas affected by the first named storm of the Hurricane season, Tropical Storm Alberto.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship to Host Rock Cruise in 2025

The Norwegian Joy will sail a Monsters Rock cruise that will depart Miami, Florida, in March 2025, featuring performances and activities.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Officially Enters Service From Tampa

The Port of Tampa welcomes the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise ship, as the vessel begins service from the homeport.

With Ships Poised For Sale, Celebrity Cruises Details Rebooking Options

Celebrity Cruises details its compensation options to guests after news that the cruise line is selling off two small ships.

MSC Cruises Expands Family Offerings on Newest World-Class Ship

MSC Cruises unveils new family experiences for the new MSC World America cruise ship, including largest Kids Club in the fleet.

Expedition Line to Acquire Two Celebrity Cruises’ Ships

Celebrity Cruises is selling two of its smallest cruise ships in the fleet to Linblad Expeditions, with new names and itineraries to come.

New Bid to Limit Cruisers in Key Alaskan Port Hits a Snag

A new bid to stop cruise ships from visiting Juneau on Saturdays hits a snag, following recent cruise ship limits agreement.