Royal Caribbean Group to acquire 50% stake in Sandals Resorts for $3 billion

Royal Caribbean Group has announced an agreement to acquire a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts through a joint venture valued at approximately $3 billion USD. The deal marks a significant expansion for the cruise operator into the all-inclusive resort sector, diversifying its vacation platform beyond its existing cruise brands, which include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

The partnership aims to leverage Sandals and Beaches’ extensive Caribbean expertise alongside Royal Caribbean’s global marketing reach and international presence to accelerate growth and expand the resort portfolio. The joint venture will be overseen by a shared board led by Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty and Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.

The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to necessary approvals. Existing resort operations, loyalty programs, and bookings are expected to continue without immediate changes to daily operations. The collaboration seeks to provide travelers with integrated experiences across both cruise and land-based resort destinations.