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

Carnival Earns Coveted Spot on ‘Best Employers for Diversity’ List

Carnival Corporation earns a coveted spot among the 'Best Employers for Diversity,' coming out on top for the travel and leisure industry.

Norwegian Aqua Cruise Ship Reaches Major Construction Milestone

Norwegian Aqua, the first Next-Generation Prima Plus class ship floats out on water for the first time, a major construction milestone.

Celebrity Cruise Ships Make First Calls to Perfect Day at CocoCay

First cruise ships from Celebrity Cruises call at the Royal Caribbean-owned Perfect Day at CococCay private island for the first time.

Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation

Cruise Hive is here with another weekly cruise news recap, including tampering in the cabin, huge dining changes and more!

Cunard Line Officially Takes Delivery of New Queen Anne

Cunard line takes delivery of its new Queen Anne cruise ship from the Finacntieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy.

MSC Cruises Adds New Pre- and Post-Cruise Program

MSC Cruises announces a new pre- and post-cruise hotel program for guests sailing out of five homeports.

Holland America Line Touts ‘Glacier Day’ Perks on Alaska Voyages

Holland America Line to debut "Glacier Day" on its Alaska cruises, as part of its onboard Alaska experiences.

Cruise Line Plans At-Sea Christening for New Ship

German-based TUI Cruises details the christening ceremony of its new Mein Schiff 7, with godmother Fenia Kalachani.

Royal Caribbean Announces Two Ships for Australia in 2025-26

Royal Caribbean announces two ships to sail Australia for the 2025-26 season, including Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.