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
643
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

Nassau Cruise Port Receives Six Ships on Two Consecutive Days

The Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas welcomed a record six cruise ships on two consecutive days.

Naming Ceremony Set for P&O’s Arvia Cruise Ship

P&O Cruises details the naming ceremony of its new cruise ship Arvia, with the event taking place in the Caribbean.

Princess Cruises Plans Return to Japan in 2023

Princess Cruises prepares to restart operations in Japan with a full 2023 season on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Princess Cruises Enhances Premium Add-On Packages

Princess Cruises enhances the value with new offerings for all-inclusive Premier and Princess Plus packages.

Popular Cozumel Beach Club for Cruise Visitors to Increase Prices

Mr. Sancho's beach club in Cozumel, Mexico, which is popular with cruise ship visitors, is to increase prices in 2023.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Extend Pact With Spa Operator

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings extends its partnership with Spa operator OneSpaWorld across its three brands.

First Two-Ship Day for Cruise Season at US Virgin Islands Port

The Caribbean cruise port in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, receives its first two-ship day at the start of a robust winter season.

MSC’s Luxury Cruise Brand Reveals Maiden Itinerary for First Vessel

MSC's luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys announces its maiden itinerary for its first cruise ship, EXPLORA I.

Giant AIDA Cruise Ship Arrives In Dubai for Maiden Call

The giant AIDAcosma cruise ship arrives to a warm welcome at the Dubai Cruise Terminal for its maiden call.