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

Norwegian Cruise Ship Deployment Set for Port Canaveral

After having months of winter European sailings cancelled, Norwegian Epic may be moving to sunnier Caribbean destinations.

Costa Cruises Details Winter Deployments

Costa Cruises open up winter 2024/25 cruises, including the flagship Costa Toscana in Europe and sailings for other ships in the fleet.

Holland America Unwraps Longer Voyages for Three Ships

Three Holland America Line cruise ship will set sail on longer voyages in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Disney Cruise Line Details Anniversary Fireworks Shows

Disney Cruise Line is featuring various fireworks options on different ships depending on sailing length, departure date, and other factors.

Princess Cruises Details Panama Canal Voyages

Princess Cruises details newly released Panama Canal sailings with three cruise ships for the 2024-2025 season.

MSC Cruise Ship Fails Inspection With Remarkably Low Score

The MSC Seaside cruise ship recently failed CDC inspections after receiving a remarkedly low score of 67.

First Look at Disney Cruise Line Anniversary Treats for Passengers

Disney Cruise Line releases a first look at its 25th Anniversary treats that passengers will get to enjoy across the fleet from May through September 2023.

Virgin Voyages Adds Poker Game Venue to One Ship

Virgin Voyages partners with World Poker Tour with the first permanent cruise ship poker room onboard Scarlet Lady.

Carnival Reveals Senior Staff For First ‘Italian-Style’ Ship

Carnival Cruise Line reveals its leadership team for its first 'Italian-Style' Ship, including senior officers and entertainment leaders.