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
703
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

Cruise Hive Wraps Up Annual Awards With 7 Big Winners

It's a wrap on the annual Cruise Hive Awards, so here are the full results across the seven categories, with some huge winners!

Guests Sue Royal Caribbean After Crew Member’s Secret Cameras

Guests sue Royal Caribbean after a crew member secretly filmed them with a hidden camera on Symphony of the Seas.

Star of the Seas Becomes Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship for 2025

Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas wins in the Cruise Hive Awards as the most Anticipated New Cruise Ship for 2025!

Cruise News Update: Fees Increase, Upgrades During Cruise and More

Cruise Hive is here with another weekly cruise news update, including increased fees, upgrades during NCL voyages, Carnival tipping and more!

Celebrity Beyond Becomes Best Overall Cruise Ship of 2024

Celebrity Beyond becomes the best overall cruise ship of 2024, according to the annual Cruise Hive Awards.

Royal Caribbean CEO Reveals His Top Moments of 2024

Royal Caribbean President and CEP Michael Bayley reveals his top moments of 2024, including new ships, a dog and a world cruise!

Norwegian Bliss Upgrades Will Impact Repositioning Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line informs booked guests that work will take place on the repositioning cruise following the dry dock upgrade.

Carnival-Owned Ship Sold to Resorts World Cruises

The Pacific Explorer cruise ship from P&O Australia has been sold to Asia-based Resort World Cruises, renamed Star Scorpio.

Multiple Incentives in Holland America’s Wave Season Offer

Holland America Line announces its huge Wave Season promotion, with balcony upgrades, reduced deposits and more!