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
736
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

Viking Details 180-Day World Cruise That Visits 37 Countries

Viking Cruises details new 2024-25 world cruise itineraries with the Viking Sky cruise ship, including a 180-day voyage.

MSC Cruise Ship Makes History at Arabian Gulf Port

The new MSc World Europa cruise ship was welcomed at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam in Saudi Arabia for the very first time.

Adventures by Disney Unveils 2024 River Cruises

Adventure by Disney announces 2024 river cruise itineraries, with 22 departures planned and sailings on the Rhine, the Danube and the Seine River.

Caribbean Sees Tourism Gains as Recovery Takes Hold

The Caribbean was among the fastest-recovering regions for tourism levels, including for the cruise industry, with more ships than ever visiting destinations.

Virgin Voyages Aims to Make a Splash With New Music Video

Virgin Voyages launches a new music video inspired by an 80's Culture Club hit, as part of its new "Now We’re Voyaging" campaign.

Two MSC Ships Embark on Simultaneous World Cruises

Two MSC cruise ships depart Genoa, Italy, on round-the-world voyages, MSC Poesia on a 117-day itinerary and MSC Magnifica on a 119-day voyage.

Costa Ship to Set Off on 128-Day World Cruise Across Four Continents

The Costa Deliziosa cruise ship to sail on an around-the-world cruise lasting 128 days and visiting 52 destinations.

Lisbon Port Welcomes Largest Ever UK Cruise Ship

The Lisbon Cruise Port in Portugal welcomed the new P&O Arvia cruise ship for the first time.

Virgin Cruise Ship Rescues 18 Cuban Refugees from Sinking Boat

The Scarlet Lady cruise ship, operated by Virgin Voyages, rescued 18 Cuban refugees from a sinking boat in the Caribbean.