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

Holland America Aims to Lure Cruisers With Big Summer Sale

Holland America Line launches 40% off cruise fares and onboard credit for summer sailings, including in Alaska.

Royal Caribbean Launches Loyalty Status Match Program Across Brands

Royal Caribbean Group introduces a new first-of-its-kind loyalty match status program across its three brands.

Cunard Liner Brings Eternal Flame to US For Special Anniversary

Cunard’s iconic ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, played the leading role in the delivery of the Eternal Flame to New York on May 23,...

P&O Cruises Confirms New Airline Partners for Caribbean Packages

P&O Cruises confirms airline partners for its Caribbean Fly-Cruises packages, including TUI Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Cunard Reveals Andrea Bocelli Will Perform at Major Christening

Cunard Line announces that Andrea Bocelli will perform at the much anticipated christening of new ship, Queen Anne.

Carnival Introduces Another Celebration Key Portal

Carnival Cruise Line details its family friendly Starfish Lagoon at its new Bahamas private destination, Celebration Key.

Royal Caribbean Ship to Offer New Series of Singapore Cruises

Royal Caribbean to offer a new series of cruises from Singapore with the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship in 2025-26.

First Celebrity Cruises Edge-Class Ship Begins Maiden Alaska Season

Celebrity Edge departing on maiden Alaska sailing from Seattle, Washington. The ship's inaugural Alaska season will be from May through September 2024.

Northern Ireland Port Enjoys Busy Cruise Season Launch

Foyle Port in Northern Ireland has a busy start to its 2024 cruising season with three ships in one week, including Seabourn Ovation.