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

Residential Cruise Ship Frustrates Waiting Guests

Following the sea trials of Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey cruise ship, guests face further delays and provide an update.

Port of Montreal’s Peak Cruise Season is Underway

The peak time for Port of Montreal's cruise season is underway with a total of 28 ships and 30,000 passengers expected.

Carnival Cruise Line Issues Another Round of Itinerary Changes

Carnival Cruise Line pushes out another batch of itinerary changes, impacting three cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Line Opens Itineraries From Two Southern Homeports

Carnival Cruise Line opens 2026/27 sailings from Tampa in Florida and Mobile in Alabama, covering three different ships.

Cruise News Update: Carnival Cancellation, Gratuity Hikes, New Icon Ship

Cruise Hive is here with your weekly cruise news round-up including a new Icon class ship, Carnival Vista issues, Princess Cruises hikes and more!

Six Holland America Cruise Ships Will Sail Alaska in 2026

Six Holland America cruise ship to sail Alaska for the 2026 season, including a 14-day round-trip from Seattle.

Carnival’s Large Excel-Class Ships to Call at Upgraded Private Island

Carnival Cruise Line reveals new itineraries for 2026/27 including the Excel-class cruise ships calling at Half Moon Cay, following newly added pier.

Ketchikan Port Calls Continue as Planned After Tragic Landslide

Cruise ship calls set to continue as planned after tragic landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska and an evacuation area implemented.

Princess Cruises Will Sail its Largest-Ever Caribbean Season

Princess Cruises announces its largest-ever Caribbean season for summer 2026 with Caribbean Princess and Regal Princess.