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

Holland America Guests Can Sing Along With Pub Choir

Holland America Line's Noordam cruise ship will feature Pub Choir on a sailing in January 2024 between Auckland and Sydney.

Princess Cruises Adds New Perks for Two Inclusive Packages

Princess Cruises adds new perks to its Plus and Premier packages, including casual dining, service delivery and more!

UK Port Welcomes Maiden Visit of Princess Cruises Ship

The Coral Princess cruise ship makes a maiden call at the Port of Dover in the UK. The Princess Cruises ship arrived ready for her world cruise!

Princess Cruises Cancels Sailing in Favor of Charter

A lengthy Princess Cruises voyage in Japan has been chartered, leaving guests with few options for alternative plans.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Arrives at Port Earlier Than Expected

The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship arrived earlier than expected at Portland, England due to bad weather elsewhere.

MSC’s Luxury Cruise Line Delays Launch of First Ship

MSC's luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys delays the launch of its first vessel, EXPLORA I due to supply chain issues.

Cruise Line Acquires New Ship for Three-Year Voyage

Miray Cruises has acquired a new vessel named MV Lara due to high demand for its three-year residents voyage

Holland America Rolls Out Unforgettable Journeys Deal

Holland America is offering an unforgettable deal with free gratuities and reduced deposits on sailings all around the world.

Holland America Rolls Out Immersive Excursions in Europe

Holland America Line is rolling out new 'National Geographic Day Tours' on Mediterranean cruises, including Oosterdam and Nieuw Statendam.