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

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Early 2025 Voyages

Disney Cruise Line releases early 205 itineraries, including first visits to its new private island Lighthouse Point, Disney Treasure and Castaway.

Royal Caribbean Sanctioned Over Misleading Advertising

Royal Caribbean has been sanctioned by ASA after misleading advertising for Venice, Italy in May 2023.

Disney’s New Cruise Ship to Feature ‘Haunted’ Lounge

Disney Cruise Line unveils the new Haunted Mansion Parlor venue for its new Disney Treasure cruise ship, debuting in 2024.

Cunard Begins Six-Month Countdown for First New Ship in 13 Years

Cunard Line begins the six-month countdown with a special event for its first new cruise ship in 13 years, Queen Anne.

Norwegian Cruise Line Marks Return to Asia After Three-Year Absence

For the first time in three years, Norwegian Cruise Line returns to Asia, with the Norwegian Jewel commencing a six-month season.

Carnival Ship to Sail Europe, New Cruises Open From the US

Carnival Cruise Line opens new cruises, including Carnival Miracle in Europe and 18 ships sailing from nine US homeports.

Princess Cruises Unveils Magical Venue on Newest Ship

Princess Cruises unveils a Spellbound venue by Magic Castle that will feature on the line's new Sun Princess cruise ship, debuting in 2024.

Holland America Unveils Incentive For Alaska Cruisetours

Holland America Line announces incentive for Alaska cruisetours for guests booking across multiple US states.

Whale-Tail Funnel Returning to Carnival Cruise Ship

Carnival Freedom enters dry dock in Cadiz, Spain for an upgrade, including the return of its iconic whale tail funnel after a fire damaged it in 2022.