Royal Caribbean Group is planning a major step beyond the sea. The company intends to invest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the well-known all-inclusive brands, in a move designed to give its guests more ways to vacation within the same family of brands.
According to the report, Royal Caribbean is paying approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent stake in the all-inclusive operator. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027. The portfolio includes 18 resorts and more than 1,000 acres of undeveloped Caribbean land, much of it next to existing properties.
For travelers, the most interesting part may be what comes next. The development plan, to be funded by the resort business itself, includes three new resorts and room expansions across the portfolio. Royal Caribbean also expects to bring its strengths in loyalty, data and distribution to the resorts, with loyalty benefits expected to flow in both directions between cruising and resort stays.
Company leadership was clear that the resort brands will remain themselves — this is not a plan for cruise ships to call at the resorts. Instead, it reflects how many cruise guests already split their vacations: about 30 percent of Royal Caribbean guests have stayed at a Caribbean all-inclusive resort in the last two years, the company noted.
Key takeaways
- Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
- The deal is expected to close in early 2027 and covers 18 resorts plus more than 1,000 acres of undeveloped Caribbean land.
- Three new resorts and room expansions across the portfolio are part of the development plan.
- Loyalty benefits are expected to flow in both directions between Royal Caribbean cruises and resort stays.
- Sandals and Beaches will keep their own identities — cruise ships calling at the resorts is not part of the plan.
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Source: Cruise Industry News
