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

What Is Causing Norwegian Aqua’s Unusually Late Start in New York?

Norwegian Aqua guests are advised of a rare 3 p.m. embarkation in New York as the ship repositions from Miami, delaying terminal opening and check‑in.

Carnival Ignites 2026 With Explosive Booking Growth and Record Revenue

Carnival Corporation reports a double‑digit surge in 2026 bookings, record $6.2B revenue, and 103% occupancy, signaling strong demand across its eight cruise brands.

Coast Guard Makes Urgent Same-Day Rescues From Two Carnival Ships

Coast Guard crews airlift two men from Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Valor on the same day, with dramatic daytime and nighttime rescue videos released.

Cruise Ship Crew Member Arrested for Shoplifting During Port Canaveral Call

A cruise ship crew member was arrested for shoplifting during a Port Canaveral call and later deported after CBP issued an immigration detainer.

More Cruises Cancelled as Ships Remain Stranded at Persian Gulf Ports

Cruise lines TUI and Celestyal cancel more sailings as ships remain stranded in Persian Gulf ports, unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz amid regional conflict.

Family Renews Call for Amy Alert as Amy Lynn Bradley Reaches 28 Years Missing

As Amy Lynn Bradley reaches 28 years missing, her family is urging cruise lines to adopt an “Amy Alert” system to improve searches when guests disappear.

New Carnival Festivale Takes a Major Leap Forward with Engine Installation

Carnival Festivale hits a major milestone as Meyer Werft installs her massive LNG engines, moving the new Excel-class ship closer to her 2027 debut.

Cruise News Roundup: Spring Breakers Are Coming, Itinerary Changes, Glacier Dropped

Spring breakers, itinerary shake-ups, a glacier swap, viral pier‑runner drama, and a perfect CDC score—here’s the biggest cruise news of the week.

TUI Cruises Scraps More Sailings Aboard Two Ships Stuck in the Middle East

TUI Cruises cancels more sailings for Mein Schiff 4 and 5 as both ships remain stuck in the Middle East amid the closed Strait of Hormuz and rising regional conflict.