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

Royal Caribbean Opens Diverse 2025-2026 Caribbean Voyages

Royal Caribbean is offering a wide range of Caribbean sailings from multiple homeports perfect for winter getaways in 2025 and 2026.

Holland America Opens South America and Antarctica Voyages

Holland America Line opens bookings for South America and Antarctica voyages for the 2025-2026 season, including longer 22-day voyages.

Royal Caribbean Details New Deployment to Latin America

Royal Caribbean details its Latin America deployment, with just one month to go until the Rhapsody of the Seas begins sailings.

Carnival Ship to Debut Earlier With New West Coast Sailings

Guest will be able to enjoy more diversity in West Coast sailings and board Carnival Firenze earlier than planned with new cruises on offer.

Holland America Line Opens 2025 Alaska Cruisetours

Holland America Line announces new experiences and tours for all guests as part of the line's 2025 Cruisetours.

Royal Caribbean Unveils Full-Scale Shows for Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean reveals a new line-up of new shows for the new Icon of the Seas, which will debut in January 2024.

Carnival Cruise Line Creates Special Drink in Honor of Veterans

Carnival Cruise Line is brewing up a unique, veteran-chosen ale onboard ships with breweries, and each glass helps support military members.

Holland America Adds Venue Created by Famous Japanese Chef

Guests craving seafood with Asian flair won't want to miss a new, exclusive restaurant aboard Nieuw Amsterdam by Iron Chef Morimoto.

Princess Cruises Unveils New Stage Productions for New Ship

Princess Cruises announces new stage show productions for its new LNG-powered Sun Princess, debuting in early 2024.