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
653
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Luxury Travel, Journalism
31
Cruises
32
Countries Visited
Massachusetts
Location Based

Articles By Donna

Marella Cruises Refits Cabins, Adds Play Wall Experience to Ship

Marella Cruises introduces first interactive gaming experience and upgrades cabins for the Marella Discovery 2.

Greece Approves Cruise Arrivals Tax at Multiple Destinations

The Greek parliament has approved a bill for a new tax fee for cruise passenger arrivals across multiple destinations.

Explora Journeys Unveils Deployment Plans for Third Ship

MSC's luxury line Explora Journeys reveals new details about its third ship EXPLORA III, which will set sail in Summer 2026.

Shipyard Delivers First Vessel in Viking’s Larger Ship Series

The larger Viking Vela luxury cruise ship is delivered from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to the cruise line.

First Celebrity Cruises’ Ship Begins Sailing From Port Canaveral

Celebrity Equinox becomes the first ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet to begin sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Cruise Passengers Use Hunger Strike to Protest Lack of Full Refund

Cruise passengers on Swan Hellenic’s Diana vessel go on hunger strike over lack of full refund and cruise cancellation.

Norwegian-Based Cruise Lines Acquired by Investment Consortium

Hurtigruten and sister line HX acquired by an investment consortium to help facilitate the splitting of the two brands.

Cruising Sees Big Spike During Thanksgiving Holiday

The AAA is projecting increased travel over the coming days due to the Thanksgiving holiday, with nearly 80 million travelers, including cruisers.

Coast Guard Evacuates Guest From Holland America Cruise Ship

The US Coast Guard evacuates a guest from a Holland America Line cruise ship while sailing in Hawaii.