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

Costa Cruises Announces New Sailings in India

Costa Cruises announces that the Costa Serena cruise ship will offer 23 cruises to India, including calls to Mumbai, Cochin, Goa, and Lakshadweep.

Time is Running Out to Find Missing Titanic Exploration Submersible

Time is running out to find the missing Titanic exploration submersible named Titan, with passengers inside and limited oxygen supply.

Virgin Voyages Details One-of-a-Kind Cruise With Richard Branson

Virgin Voyages announces a special one-of-a-kind sailing with Richard Branson, on the new Resilient Lady cruise ship.

MSC Cruises Details Future Shore Power Strategy

MSC cruise brands expand shore power plan with 15 new ports aiming to connect up cruise ships, utilizing shoreside energy grids.

Top 10 Smallest Cruise Ships in the World

Don’t like the idea of a mega cruise ship? Learn what’s the world’s smallest cruise ship and other options for an intimate cruise.

New Cruise Terminal Construction Begins Near Barcelona

Construction begins on a new cruise terminal at Tarragona Cruise Port, which is near Barcelona, Spain, and will cater to large cruise ships.

Holland America to Deploy Two Ships in Asia Covering 49 Ports

Two Holland America cruise ship to be deployed to Asia for the 2024-25 season, covering 49 ports across 10 countries.

Bahamas Plans New, Increased Taxes For Cruise Guests

The Bahamas plans to increase taxes for cruise ship passengers and two new tax levies to boost cruise tourism income.

Many Cruisers Show Preference for Smaller Cruise Ships

Now that cruising is back, cruisers are preferring smaller ships and more remote destinations.