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

American Actor to Serve as Godfather to Carnival Firenze

Carnival Cruise Line announces Jonathan Bennett as the godfather for Carnival Firenze and he will christen the ship on April 24.

UK Port Readies for Visits From Two Special Cruise Ships

The Port of Dover in the UK is gearing up to welcome two Holland America cruise ships, including Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.

MSC Cruises Unveils 7 Unique Districts on New Mega Ship

MSC Cruises reveals seven distinct districts for its new MSC World America cruise ship, that will debut Spring 2025.

UK Cruise Tourism Celebrates Remarkable Rebound

UK cruise sector reports record growth rates with 2.16 million passengers enjoying the country in 2023 through 57 different ports.

Carnival Provides Update on Embarkation at Temporary Port

Carnival Cruise Line provides an update to guests for embarkation out of Norfolk instead of Baltimore after the bridge collapse.

NCL to Upgrade Venues During Ship’s Transatlantic Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line informs guests that several venues will be closed for upgrades during Norwegian Viva's transatlantic cruise.

Carnival Cruise Line Orders a Fifth Excel-Class Ship

Carnival Cruise Line announces the order of a fifth Excel-class cruise ship, that will be built by Meyer Werft and enter service in 2028.

New Findings Reveal the Best Cruise Destinations

A new survey reveals the best cruise destinations, with Tampa in Florida taking the top spot with the highest index score.

Cruise Line Marks Launch of River Cruise High-Season

Viking kick starts its 2024 river season in Europe with its fleet of sister ships, along with new options for the winter months.