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

Royal Caribbean Group has announced a deal to acquire a 50 percent equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately US$3 billion. The transaction, which is expected to close in early 2027 following regulatory approvals, values the entire Sandals enterprise at roughly US$6 billion.

The partnership aims to integrate land and sea vacations by combining Sandals’ 20 Caribbean properties with Royal Caribbean’s global distribution network. This move signals Royal Caribbean’s transition from a cruise-focused operator to a broader travel company.

In Jamaica, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has called for clarity regarding the deal’s impact on local workers and businesses. The government is seeking discussions on how the partnership might increase procurement from Jamaican farmers and manufacturers, as well as opportunities for career development within the tourism sector. Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart has indicated that the transaction is not expected to immediately alter existing jobs.