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

Sapphire Princess Emerges from Dry Dock with Two New Dining Venues

Sapphire Princess emerges from dry dock with two new restaurants — Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill — plus key updates ahead of her 2027 Japan season.

Cruise News Update: Guest Banned, Drink Package Pulled, Fee Hike, and More

Another massive week of cruise news from Cruise Hive, including big changed by NCL, Carnival banning a guest, Royal Caribbean, and more!

Tropical Storm Jerry Forces Liberty of the Seas to Head North

Royal Caribbean changes Liberty of the Seas itinerary from sunny Bermuda to cool Saint John as Tropical Storm Jerry impacts the Atlantic.

Holland America Rolling Out Unique Beauty Experience Across Fleet

Holland America Line debuted its Blend Bar on seven ships, where cruisers can create a personalized lipstick from a wide choice of colors and flavors.

Norwegian Aqua Arrives at PortMiami in Seasonal Deployment

The new Norwegian Aqua arrive in Miami, Florida to begin seven-day Caribbean sailings through April 2026.

Cruise News Update: NCL Dining Fee, Shutdown, Cancellations, and More

A busy week of cruise news from Cruise Hive, including from Norwegian Cruise Line, with cancellations, loyalty, and dining fee.

Carnival Deploys ‘Fun Italian Style’ Ship to Miami in 2027

Carnival Venezia will move from New York to Miami in 2027, offering Italian-style Caribbean cruises alongside Carnival Magic and Vista.

Celebrity Couple to Serve as Godparents to Star Princess

Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, will be christened in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025 by celebrity couple Matthew and Camila McConaughey.

Cruise News Update: Missing Guest, New Ships, Technical Issues

Another busy week of cruise news, including a missing Carnival guest, NCL technical issues, new ships, and more!