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

Princess Cruises Releases New Season in Japan Due to High Demand

Princess Cruises releases Diamond Princess itineraries for Japan in 2025, due to an increase in demand for cruises in the country.

Princess Cruises Unveils Hollywood-Themed Sailings

Princess Cruises details "Hollywood Insider" theme cruises in October 2023 across three cruise ships based from the US west coast.

More Sailings for Largest Ever Cruise Ship Due to Unprecedented Interest

Due to unprecedented interest, Royal Caribbean has opened more itineraries for Icon of the Seas three months ahead of scheduled.

Virgin Voyages Announces 27 New Itineraries

Virgin Voyages announces 19 news destinations across 27 new itineraries through April 2025, as the cruise line expands options.

New Virgin Voyages Ship Indefinitely Delayed, Cruises Cancelled

Virgin Voyages delays the debut of Brilliant Lady and cancels multiple cruises due to supply chain and staffing issues.

Cruise Ship Makes Maiden Visit to Bristol Port

UK based Ambassador Cruise Line's new Ambition cruise ship made its maiden call at Bristol Port in west England.

Another City is Getting Fed Up With Cruise Ships

Locals are getting fed up with cruise ships in Istanbul, Turkey, especially now with the new Galataport, with the first underground terminal.

Norwegian Cruise Line to Resume Calls to Destination Hit by Wildfires

Norwegian Cruise Line is set to resume visits to the wildfire-hit Lahaina on Maui island in Hawaii in early September 2023.

Hurricane Prompts Delay of Disney Treasure Reveal

Hurricane Idalia has forced the delay of Disney Cruise Line unveiling its new cruise ship, Disney Treasure, which is still currently under construction.