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

Cruise News Update: Propulsion Issues, Lifeboat Fall, Reminders

Another hectic week of cruise news from Cruise Hive, including a lifeboat breaking off, ongoing mystery of Anna Kepner, propulsion issues, and more.

Norwegian’s Newest Ship to Feature Elton John Tribute Show

Norwegian Luna debuts in 2026 with Elton John tribute ‘Rocket Man,’ a sci‑fi acrobatic show, and family‑friendly ocean festival.

Princess Cruises Cancels Two Ports, Adds Puerto Rico and St. Maarten

Princess Cruises has updated Regal Princess’s 2026 Caribbean itinerary, dropping Amber Cove and Grand Turk in favor of Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

Cruise News Update: Passengers Saved, Huge Wave, Oversold Sailing, and More

What a week of cruise news, including Icon of the Seas to Texas, passengers rescued from sinking boat, huge wave hits pier, and more.

Cruise Giant MSC Commits to Shipping Relief Supplies to Jamaica

MSC Divina delivers vital supplies as MSC Foundation vows free transport of relief containers to Jamaica, aiding recovery after Hurricane Melissa.

MSC Cruises Places Order For Two More World-Class Mega Ships

MSC Cruises orders two more World-class ships, boosting its LNG-powered fleet to eight by 2031.

Royal Caribbean Ship Ditches Port in Favor of Dominican Republic

Guests booked on Brilliance of the Seas in November 2025 will now visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, after St. Lucia was removed from the itinerary.

Cruise Lines Tempt Guests With Black Friday Cruise Deals

We've got your round-up of all the Black Friday cruise deals for 2025 across all the major cruise lines, so you don't miss out!

Cruise News Update: Bedbugs, NCL Changes Mind, Thanksgiving, and More

Some big cruise news stories from Cruise Hive over the past week, with bedbugs on Carnival, NCL's Free at Sea, Thanksgiving menus, and more!