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

Bahamas Reveals MSC’s Bold Plan for a New $450 Million Cruise Development

MSC Cruises will invest $450 million in Freeport, building a new Billy Cay cruise terminal and beach club to boost Grand Bahama’s cruise industry.

Two New Venues Change the Dining Landscape on Diamond Princess

Princess Cruises updates Diamond Princess with two unexpected new dining venues, adding fresh culinary options and a regional twist for upcoming Asia sailings.

Cruise News Update: High Winds, New Icon Ship, Port Changes, and More

Catch up on this week’s cruise news, from high‑wind incidents and new ship construction to port changes, safety alerts, and major policy updates.

Carnival Sunshine Opens a New Chapter as Carnival’s First Ship to Visit Africa

Carnival Sunshine will become the first Carnival ship to visit Africa, adding new ports and expanding future itineraries with exciting destination options.

MSC Cruises Readies for Year-Round Presence From Dominican Republic

MSC Cruises launches year‑round Southern Caribbean sailings, offering new itineraries, added ports, and expanded options for travelers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Goes Big With FIFA World Cup 26 Programming

Norwegian Cruise Line reveals its full FIFA World Cup 26 programming, bringing live matches, events, and fan experiences to guests across the fleet.

Cruise News Update: Wrong Port, Cancellations, New Ship, and More

We've got all the major cruise news stories from the past week, including on NCL, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Carnival.

Carnival Cruise Line Unlocks New Cruises From California

Carnival opens 2027–28 Baja sailings from Long Beach, with Carnival Radiance offering Catalina and Ensenada getaways.

Royal Caribbean Reveals Points Choice and It Could Change Loyalty Forever

Royal Caribbean reveals Points Choice, a major new loyalty system linking Royal, Celebrity, and Silversea with fresh perks and big changes for cruisers.