One Epic Adventure 36 Days, 3 Regions: AIDAluna and Other Cruise Lines Linking the Caribbean, North America, Iceland and Europe in 2028
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From the Caribbean to North America, Iceland and Europe, the cruise world is opening extraordinary ways to travel in 2028. The 36-day AIDAluna adventure stands out, linking tropical destinations with major cities and northern landscapes. Meanwhile, other cruise lines are creating similarly ambitious journeys across the Atlantic, giving travellers more choices for long-distance cruising. AIDAluna will connect the Caribbean and Europe through North America and Iceland, while other cruise lines offer their own Caribbean, transatlantic, Iceland and European experiences. Travel And Tour World urges travellers to explore the entire story, because these journeys could transform how global tourists experience the Caribbean, North America, Iceland and Europe in 2028.
A New Spring 2028 Cruise for Travellers Wanting More Than One Region
Travellers searching for a cruise that goes far beyond a traditional Caribbean holiday will have a new option in spring 2028.
AIDA Cruises is introducing two 18-day AIDAluna voyages designed to connect the Caribbean with North America, Iceland and Northern Europe.
The programme creates a particularly interesting opportunity for international travellers. Instead of flying between separate holiday regions, passengers can experience several destinations during one extended cruise.
AIDA has also made its wider summer 2028 programme available, with more than 450 cruises scheduled between April and October across Northern Europe, the Baltic and Mediterranean.
First Voyage Begins in the Dominican Republic
The first journey starts on April 22, 2028, when AIDAluna departs La Romana in the Dominican Republic.
The ship will travel towards New York, visiting Jamaica and Key West along the way.
The itinerary then adds longer stays in New Orleans, Tampa and Miami. These extended calls give travellers more opportunities to explore beyond the immediate port area.
A particularly distinctive part of the voyage is its passage along the Mississippi River.
For travellers, this means the cruise is not simply a transatlantic repositioning journey. It combines Caribbean beaches, American cities and an unusual river experience within one itinerary.
New York Opens the Second Chapter
The second 18-day sailing departs New York on May 10, 2028.
From there, AIDAluna will follow the North American Atlantic coast, visiting Newport, Boston, Portland, Halifax and St. John’s.
The itinerary then heads across the North Atlantic towards Iceland.
This section could be especially attractive to travellers who want to combine major North American cities with Northern Europe’s dramatic landscapes.
Iceland Adds a Major Northern Adventure
Reykjavík is the next major destination before the ship continues towards Copenhagen and finally Kiel.
Iceland’s official tourism authority describes Reykjavík as a northern capital known for its cultural, culinary and creative attractions.
The official Visit Iceland guide also provides travellers with information about safe travel, transportation, activities, accommodation and seasonal planning.
Spring visitors should prepare for changing conditions. Official tourism guidance highlights Iceland’s seasonal travel considerations and provides planning information specifically for spring trips.
For cruise passengers, Reykjavík can therefore become more than a short sightseeing stop. Depending on port time, travellers can explore the capital or plan excursions into Iceland’s distinctive volcanic and geothermal landscapes.
Copenhagen and Kiel Complete the European Journey
After Iceland, AIDAluna heads to Copenhagen before reaching Kiel on May 28, 2028.
The complete route creates a remarkable geographical transition. Travellers begin among Caribbean islands, cross the United States and Atlantic Canada, visit Iceland and finish in Northern Europe.
The two 18-day voyages can also be combined into a 36-day “globetrotter” journey.
Alternative arrangements involving Miami as a departure or arrival point are also available.
Published Fare Gives Travellers an Early Benchmark
The reported starting price for the New York-to-Kiel sailing via Iceland is €2,070 per person based on two people sharing an inside IB cabin.
That figure includes a €375 Early Bird Plus discount, according to the published itinerary information.
Travellers should verify current pricing, cabin availability, inclusions and promotional conditions before booking.
For passengers with enough holiday time, however, combining both voyages could create a rare multi-region cruise experience.
From Caribbean sunshine to Atlantic Canada and Icelandic landscapes, AIDAluna’s spring 2028 programme offers travellers a chance to turn a seasonal cruise transition into an expansive international adventure.
Cruise Lines Offering Similar Caribbean-to-Europe and Transatlantic Journeys in 2028
The new AIDAluna spring 2028 itineraries fit into a wider cruise trend: ships moving between seasonal Caribbean and European deployments while offering passengers the chance to experience long-distance repositioning voyages. These journeys can be especially attractive to travellers who prefer visiting several regions during one holiday rather than booking separate Caribbean, North American and European trips.
The AIDAluna programme is distinctive because its two 18-day voyages can be combined into a 36-day journey linking the Caribbean, the United States, Canada, Iceland and Northern Europe. Other cruise companies offer comparable experiences, although their routes, durations and destinations differ substantially.
1. Princess Cruises: Large-Scale 2028 Transatlantic and European Programme
Princess Cruises is one of the strongest alternatives for travellers looking for a broad 2028 Europe and transatlantic programme. Princess announced 291 departures across 150 unique itineraries for its 2028 European season, operating six ships across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and transatlantic routes.
For travellers, the important point is the scale of the programme. Instead of focusing only on traditional Mediterranean cruising, Princess is combining Northern European itineraries with Atlantic crossings. Its official transatlantic programme covers 2026 through 2028 and positions these voyages as extended ocean journeys between Europe and other regions.
This makes Princess particularly relevant to passengers comparing AIDAluna’s repositioning concept. A traveller who wants a longer cruise with substantial sea time can consider a transatlantic itinerary, while those wanting more port-intensive exploration can choose among the wider European programme.
The major difference is itinerary structure. AIDAluna’s spring 2028 voyages create a continuous travel narrative from the Caribbean through North America and Iceland into Northern Europe. Princess instead offers a much larger selection of European and Atlantic combinations, giving travellers more flexibility around departure ports, cruise length and destination emphasis.
2. Holland America Line: Up to 35 Days on Transatlantic Routes
Holland America Line offers another particularly relevant alternative. Its official transatlantic programme lists 2028 sailings ranging from 13 to 35 days, with departures from Fort Lauderdale, Boston and New York.
That duration range is significant for travellers considering AIDAluna’s 36-day combined journey. Holland America’s longest transatlantic options approach the same extended-holiday territory without requiring passengers to book two separate cruises.
The line’s itineraries are designed around crossings between North America and Europe. Travellers can therefore begin in major American gateways before spending several days at sea and reaching European destinations.
Holland America also has a major long-duration proposition beyond individual transatlantic crossings. Its 2028 Grand World Voyage lasts 129 days, travelling roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale and including an Antarctic experience.
For travellers seeking a much longer international journey, this demonstrates how repositioning-style and extended cruises can form part of a broader slow-travel holiday.
3. Celebrity Cruises: Caribbean and Europe Connected Through Seasonal Repositioning
Celebrity Cruises provides another close comparison because its own official explanation directly identifies transatlantic cruises as a form of seasonal repositioning.
Celebrity explains that ships can move from one cruising region to another as seasons change. Its examples include ships moving between the Mediterranean and Florida for Caribbean operations. It also notes that some repositioning voyages travel between the Caribbean and South America or through the Panama Canal.
This operational pattern is very similar to the thinking behind AIDAluna’s spring 2028 deployment. Instead of treating a ship’s movement between regions simply as an operational transfer, cruise lines can sell those relocation journeys to passengers.
Celebrity’s 2027-2028 programme includes European sailings aboard a fleet of seven ships, with the company positioning Europe as a major part of its upcoming programme.
For travellers, Celebrity may therefore suit passengers who want the repositioning experience but prefer a premium-style cruise environment and a choice of European itineraries.
4. Cunard: Classic Atlantic Crossings Between New York and Europe
Cunard provides a different interpretation of the same travel concept. Rather than building a route around numerous Caribbean and North American ports, Cunard focuses heavily on the traditional Atlantic crossing between New York and Southampton.
The company’s official 2026-2028 transatlantic programme features Queen Mary 2, the line’s flagship, on scheduled crossings between the two sides of the Atlantic.
One confirmed 2028 example is an 18-night roundtrip crossing from New York, running from April 21 to May 9, 2028.
Queen Mary 2 is also scheduled to operate Caribbean voyages in 2028, meaning travellers can build longer holidays around the ship’s Atlantic and Caribbean deployment. Cunard describes Queen Mary 2 as sailing on both sides of the Atlantic during 2028.
For passengers who value the sea journey itself, Cunard offers a particularly strong alternative. The experience is less about collecting numerous ports and more about enjoying a historic ocean crossing.
5. Royal Caribbean: Extensive Future Cruise Network
Royal Caribbean is another major option for travellers comparing future Caribbean and European cruises. Its official cruise schedule already provides future sailing information extending into 2028 and beyond, while its European programme covers Northern Europe as well as Mediterranean destinations.
Royal Caribbean’s approach differs from AIDAluna’s. Its strength lies in the breadth of its fleet and the large number of Caribbean and European cruise options rather than one highly distinctive 36-day Caribbean-to-Iceland itinerary.
That makes it useful for travellers who want to construct a broader holiday independently. A passenger could choose a Caribbean voyage and then plan a separate European sailing or transatlantic crossing around available schedules.
Comparison Table: Cruise Lines Offering Similar Long-Distance Experiences
| Cruise line | Relevant 2028 offering | Key duration/data | Main travel appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIDA Cruises – AIDAluna | Caribbean–North America–Iceland–Northern Europe | Two 18-day voyages; combinable into 36 days | Multi-region journey |
| Princess Cruises | European and Transatlantic programme | 291 departures; 150 itineraries; 6 ships | Huge European choice |
| Holland America Line | Transatlantic Europe routes | 13–35 days | Long Atlantic voyages |
| Celebrity Cruises | Transatlantic/repositioning cruises | Seasonal regional repositioning | Premium-style long-distance cruising |
| Cunard | Queen Mary 2 Atlantic crossings | 18-night 2028 example | Classic New York-Europe crossing |
| Royal Caribbean | Future Caribbean and European cruises | 2028+ schedules available | Large fleet and broad choice |
What This Means for Travellers
The growing selection of long-distance and repositioning cruises gives travellers more ways to combine regions in one holiday.
AIDAluna stands out because its spring 2028 programme links particularly diverse destinations. Travellers can move from the Caribbean to New York, Atlantic Canada and Iceland before reaching Northern Europe.
Princess is better suited to travellers seeking the widest range of European choices. Holland America is attractive for passengers specifically interested in longer transatlantic voyages. Celebrity provides a premium repositioning option, while Cunard is the strongest choice for travellers who see the Atlantic crossing itself as the main experience.
Royal Caribbean offers a different advantage through its extensive future cruise network.
For travellers with flexible schedules, these cruises can reduce the need for repeated hotel changes and regional flights. However, one-way itineraries require careful planning for flights before or after the cruise, passport requirements and seasonal weather.
The biggest opportunity is therefore not simply the number of ports. It is the ability to transform a ship’s seasonal relocation into a substantial international travel experience.
Conclusion
The 36-day AIDAluna journey offers travellers a remarkable way to connect the Caribbean, North America, Iceland and Europe in 2028. Rather than following a conventional cruise route, AIDAluna creates an extended adventure across three major travel regions. Other cruise lines are also expanding transatlantic and repositioning options, giving travellers more opportunities to explore distant destinations by sea.
For travellers seeking longer holidays, these voyages can combine multiple cultures, landscapes and cities within one carefully planned journey. From Caribbean beaches and North American cities to Icelandic scenery and European ports, the possibilities are extensive.
Travel And Tour World encourages travellers to compare routes, departure dates, fares and included destinations before booking. With AIDAluna and other cruise lines offering increasingly diverse journeys, 2028 could become an exciting year for travellers looking beyond traditional cruise holidays.