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

Carnival Cruise Brands Secure Broadcast Rights for FIFA World Cup Matches

Carnival Corporation brands stream FIFA World Cup 2026 live at sea, with Princess, Cunard, Holland America, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises offering all 104 matches onboard.

Disney Takes Delivery of Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Disney Cruise Line takes delivery of Disney Adventure, its largest‑ever ship, now based in Singapore and set to sail short cruises from March 2026.

Carnival Ship Stuck in Long Beach as Computer Crash Halts Departure

Carnival Firenze’s Dec. 15, 2025 cruise from Long Beach is delayed by a computer crash, keeping guests onboard overnight and changing its Mexican Riviera itinerary.

Cruise News Update: Icon Passenger, Delays, Ports Dropped, and More

Cruise Hive has more cruise news stories from the past week including on Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises, Carnival, and NCL.

Norwegian Gem’s Transatlantic Cruise Overhauled

Norwegian Escape’s Fall 2026 cruise gets a dramatic overhaul with new ports, swapped calls, and surprises travelers need to know before sailing.

Six Travel Trends Expected to Influence Cruising in 2026

Explore six cruise trends MSC says will define 2026 — from Me‑Kends and fan voyages to quiet‑cations.

Industry Veteran Takes Helm as President of Norwegian Cruise Line

Marc Kazlauskas named president of Norwegian Cruise Line as fleet expands and Great Stirrup Cay upgrades begin in 2026.

Bookings Open For MSC World Atlantic, Line’s Fourth World-Class Ship

MSC World Atlantic bookings open! The 6,774‑guest ship debuts from Port Canaveral in Nov 2027 with Caribbean itineraries.

New Pickleball Courts Debut at Holland America’s Private Island

Holland America debuts four pickleball courts at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, with lessons, tournaments, and new island upgrades.