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

MSC Cruises Opens Bookings for 119-Day World Voyage

MSC Cruises opens bookings for its 119-day world cruise with the MSC Magnifica cruise ship, including spanning 32 countries.

New Cunard Cruise Ship to Sail Special Maiden Voyage

The new Queen Anne cruise ship that will be operated by Cunard Line will sail a special British Isles festival voyage for its maiden cruise.

Mediterranean Cruise Port Marks First Shore-Power Connection

Valletta Cruise Port has successfully integrated shore power, with Viking Cruises becoming the first to benefit from the new connection.

New Disney Cruise Ship Receives Iconic Funnels

The new Disney Treasure cruise ship which is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard receives her two iconic funnels.

New Celebrity Cruise Ship Features Exclusive Retail Venues

Celebrity Cruises and Starboard bring a first-at-sea retail concept and exclusive venues on the new Celebrity Ascent.

Cruise Line’s Black Friday Sale Eclipses Past Records

Holland America Line sets Black Friday booking records in the US much higher than the cruise line's previous year.

Princess Cruises Details Its Largest Casino in the Fleet

Princess Cruises showcases its largest-ever casino featured on the line's new LNG-powered Sun Princess cruise ship.

Well-Liked Carnival Cruise Director Steps Down

Well-liked and popular Carnival Cruise Director Jonathan “Cookie” Adams has decided to step down and leave the cruise line.

Popular Cruise Destination Has Substantial Increase in Cruise Arrivals

Cruise arrivals at the popular Caribbean islands of the Turks and Caicos rose substantially, including Grand Turk.