Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to acquire 50% of the Caribbean resorts network of Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion. The deal provides for the creation of a joint venture and effectively values the resort business at approximately $6 billion.
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts officially announced the signing of the agreement on September 23, 2026. It is expected to be completed in early 2027 after obtaining the necessary approvals.
Royal Caribbean is stepping beyond the cruise business
Royal Caribbean Group is best known for its cruise brands:
Royal Caribbean International;
Celebrity Cruises;
Silversea;
TUI Cruises, half of which is owned by the group.
The company also develops private destinations Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club, and in 2027 plans to enter the river cruising market with Celebrity River Cruises.
An investment in Sandals and Beaches opens up another major direction for the group-land-based holidays in the all-inclusive format. The joint venture will include resorts from both brands in the Caribbean region.
Sandals Resorts specializes in adult-only vacations and is represented in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Beaches Resorts focuses on family and multi-generational holidays. The brand operates in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, and is also preparing new properties in the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent.
How will Sandals be managed after the deal?
Royal Caribbean and the Stewart family will own a joint venture in equal shares. The board of directors will be chaired by the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty, and the executive chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Adam Stewart.
Adam Stewart will remain in a leadership position and continue to be responsible for the long-term development of the resort brands.
Royal Caribbean plans to finance the acquisition through debt financing arranged by Morgan Stanley. The company expects that the investment will begin to have a positive impact on its financial results as early as after the deal is completed.
Will the existing bookings change?
At this stage, no.
Companies emphasize that:
previously made bookings remain valid;
Sandals and Beaches resorts continue to operate in the usual mode;
Royal Caribbean Group cruise operations do not change;
active loyalty programs are currently operating separately;
the names and concepts of the resorts are preserved.
Therefore, travelers with already booked accommodation or a cruise do not need to reissue their booking or contact us for confirmation solely due to the announcement of an agreement.
Loyalty programs are planning to merge
One of the most interesting potential outcomes of the partnership could be mutual recognition of participants’ loyalty program statuses.
Jason Liberti said that the companies plan to create a technological connection between their systems. In the future, Sandals customer status may be recognized while traveling with Royal Caribbean Group brands-and vice versa.
However, specific rules, launch dates, a list of benefits, and the participating brands have not yet been announced. At present, points, tiers, and benefits are not transferred automatically.
Will “cruise plus resort” packages be available?
Companies have officially announced their intention to expand distribution and make it easier to find a holiday in both portfolios. This creates the conditions for the emergence of combined products, for example:
Sandals accommodation before or after a cruise;
a single booking for a cruise, flight, and resort;
personalized offers for members of loyalty programs;
joint promotions from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, Sandals and Beaches.
However, ready-made packages, a single booking system, or special fares have not been introduced yet. Any possible launch should be considered a prospect rather than an already available service.
Royal Caribbean also does not plan to turn the existing Sandals into mass beach clubs for cruise passengers. According to Jason Liberty, the main priority remains expanding the resort network, rather than selling day passes to guests of cruise liners.
What does the agreement mean for tourists?
In the short term, the booking order for cruises and resorts does not change. More significant changes may appear after the completion of the agreement in 2027 and the integration of technological systems.
For travelers, the partnership potentially means:
a wider choice of combined sea and land journeys;
new Sandals and Beaches resorts;
mutual benefits in loyalty programs;
easier search and booking of Caribbean getaways;
personalized offers for Royal Caribbean Group customers.
For Ukrainian travelers, the key factors will remain the availability of flights, the transit and visa requirements of specific islands, as well as the entry rules via the USA, Canada, or the UK. Purchasing a stake in Sandals by itself does not change these requirements.
What is known at this moment?
Confirmed:
Royal Caribbean Group to acquire 50% of Sandals and Beaches Resorts;
the stake is valued at approximately $3 billion;
the deal is expected to close in early 2027;
current bookings and operations will continue unchanged;
Adam Stewart will retain his leadership role;
the companies plan to expand distribution and link loyalty programs.
Not yet announced:
the launch date for the joint tour packages;
the terms for mutual recognition of statuses;
a joint booking system;
special offers for cruise passengers;
specific new resorts to be built thanks to the investment.
Cruise-Life.PRO will monitor the integration of Royal Caribbean Group with Sandals and will report on new packages, fares, and privileges after their official launch.