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

Major Royal Caribbean Change With Leadership at Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group announces a major leadership change at the top of Celebrity Cruises with a new president.

MSC Cruises’ New Ship to Tempt Wine, Food Lovers

MSC Cruises reveals new food and beverage spaces for its new MSC Euribia cruise ship, including a new bistro, wine bar, and experiences.

MSC Cruises Marks Milestone With 12 Million in Donations

MSC Cruises and its partnership with UNICEF celebrates a major milestone with 12 million Euros of donations to programs worldwide.

Archives Detail Early Holland America Line Guests

Holland America Line has detailed new passenger achieves from as far back as the 1900s. It comes as the cruise line celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Cruises Line Offers Affordable Residential Life at Sea

Victoria Cruises Line is offering an affordable residential life at sea for just $79 a day! The adults-only cruise ship will launch in September.

New MSC Megaship Out of Miami Opens for Bookings

MSC Cruises opens bookings for its new meagship MSC World America, which will sail out of Miami, Florida from April 2025.

Two New Charter Cruises for Norwegian Cruise Ship

Two different themed cruises have been announced for the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, both departures in February 2024.

Celebrity Cruises Has Big Engine Plans for Future Ship

Celebrity Cruises announces the use of alternative fuels with a new flexible engine model for its next Edge-class cruise ship.

Hit Musical to Debut on Norwegian Cruise Line’s New Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line announces a new Beetlejuice musical that will debut on its new Norwegian Viva cruise ship.