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

MSC Poesia Undergoes Six-Week Refit Ahead of Alaska Season

MSC Poesia is undergoing a major 2026 refit, adding the MSC Yacht Club, new specialty dining, refreshed spa spaces, and more ahead of the ship’s first Alaska season.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Just Hit a Key Construction Milestone

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas marks a major milestone with a traditional good‑luck coin ceremony at Meyer Turku ahead of its 2026 debut.

Cruise News Update: Technical Failure, Carnival Rescue, NCL Pressure

Stay updated on major cruise stories: a Celebrity Infinity cancellation, a dramatic rescue off Cuba, new NCL ship orders, investor pressure, and more industry headlines.

Crew Member Killed, Passengers Evacuated After Fire on World Legacy Cruise Ship

A crew member has died and several guests were hospitalized after a fire broke out aboard World Legacy near Singapore on February 20, 2026.

Former Royal Caribbean CEO Joins Investor Calling for Major Changes at Norwegian

Adam Goldstein backs Elliott Investment Management’s push for major leadership and strategy changes at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, signaling support for reforms after the investor’s sharp critique of the company’s performance.

P&O Cruises Locks In Three Major Airlines for 2026–27 Caribbean Fly‑Cruise Season

P&O Cruises confirms Virgin Atlantic, TUI, and Norse Atlantic as charter partners for its 2026–27 Caribbean fly‑cruise season, serving Barbados and Antigua.

Stormy Conditions Derail Disney Wonder’s Planned Hawaii Sailing

Disney Wonder faced stormy conditions during its Hawaii cruise, forcing itinerary changes and the cancellation of a planned second overnight stay.

Cruise News Update: Tech Issues, Inspections, New Cruises, and More

Carnival resolves major tech glitches, Disney Wish heads to Europe, Royal Caribbean updates policies, and more key cruise stories in this week’s news roundup.

Cruisers Can Watch Every 2026 World Cup Game Live on MSC Ships

MSC Cruises will broadcast all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across its fleet, with live screenings in lounges, bars, theaters, and on pool‑deck screens.