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

Cruise Ship Damaged by Rogue Wave Plans Return to Service

An expedition cruise ship that was damaged after being hit by a large wave is set to return to service in April 2024.

Celebrity Cruises Unveils Shorter Itineraries, Plus a Fare Sale

Celebrity Cruises details new weekend sailings in the Caribbean, that will be included in its biggest offer of the year.

Disney Unveils New River Cruise Options for 2025

Adventures by Disney details new river cruises in Holland and Belgium, including new tour options for passengers.

Princess Cruises Readies for Record-Breaking Alaska Season

Princess Cruises salutes anniversary of Alaska statehood as it readies for its record-breaking season with seven cruise ships.

I Spent Seven Days on a Sailing Cruise Ship in the Caribbean

Find out how it went during my week-long experience on a tall sailing cruise ship named the Royal Clipper.

Cruise Ship Guests Spot Fishermen Stranded in the Sea

Cruise guests from the Costa Serena cruise ship spot fishermen stranded floating in the sea, rescue operation was initiated.

Carnival Jubilee Voted Best New Cruise Ship of 2023

Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Jubilee wins Best New Cruise Ship category in the 2023 Cruise Hive Awards.

Carnival Cruise Line Comes Out on Top for Best Service and Crew

Carnival Cruise Line comes out on top for the best service and crew in the annual Cruise Hive Awards for 2023.

Carnival’s BOLT Voted Best Cruise Ship Feature

Carnival Cruise line's roller coaster wins "Best Cruise Ship Feature" of 2023 in Cruise Hive's annual awards.