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

Crew Members Removed From Two Cruise Ships Sailing the Great Lakes

13 crew members have been removed by the CBP across the Victory I and II cruise ships sailings the Great Lakes.

Margaritaville at Sea Reveals Beachcomber as Name of Third Ship

Margaritaville at Sea reveals the name of its third cruise ship as beachcomber, the former Costa vessel that is joining the fleet in September 2026.

Cruise News Update: Cruises Cancelled, Technical Issues, New Ships

Another busy week of cruise news and Cruise Hive has you covered with cruise cancellations, technical issues and new ships!

Top Salsa Stars to Entertain on Carnival Ship’s Spanglish Party Cruise

Carnival Glory to set sail on an inaugural Spanglish Party Cruise in October 2025 out of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Mid-Year Update Shows Healthy Cruise Growth in US Virgin Islands

New update shows healthy cruise growth across the US Virgin islands, with 1,487,753 cruise passengers visiting through 2025.

Oceania Cruises Takes Delivery of New-Build, Confirms More Ship Orders

Oceania Cruises takes delivery of its new Allura luxury cruise ship and also announces the order of two new ships joining the fleet in 2032 and 2035.

Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship to Feature Four New Spaces

Celebrity Cruises reveals four new spaces for the new Celebrity Xcel cruise ship, including a new poolside area, attic lounge, store and spa.

Cruise News Update: Insane Prices, Glass Shatters, Drinks, and More!

Another week full of cruise news from Cruise Hive, including prices at destinations, glass shattering, drinks change, and more!

Royal Caribbean Cruise to Depart Earlier Than Planned From Galveston

Royal Caribbean informs guests about a departure change for Harmony of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas.