Royal Caribbean Cruises acquires 50% stake in Sandals Resorts
Combining Cruise Innovation with All-Inclusive Resort Luxury
With the $3 billion joint venture slated to close in early 2027, the immediate focus is a massive expansion of both the adults-only Sandals Resorts and the family-friendly Beaches Resorts. Travelers can expect significant growth in the coming years, particularly for the Beaches brand, which is receiving nearly $1 billion in investments to double its footprint. Upcoming projects include transforming the Bahamas' Emerald Bay into a Beaches resort, constructing a brand-new property in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, and launching a 600-room resort in Barbados.
Beyond building new luxury properties, Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals intend to create a more integrated booking and loyalty ecosystem. Leadership from both companies has highlighted plans to widen their distribution and deepen guest engagement, ultimately making it easier for vacationers to seamlessly explore options across both cruise itineraries and land-based resorts. By combining Royal Caribbean’s legacy of maritime innovation with Sandals' all-inclusive expertise, this partnership paves the way for a unified approach to booking Caribbean vacations.
About Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts
Sandals Resorts is a pioneer of the luxury all-inclusive Caribbean vacation, offering adults-only, couples-focused getaways across 17 pristine beachfront properties. Spanning gorgeous island destinations including Jamaica, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent, the brand is renowned for going "all-in" on vacation mode.
Guests enjoy unlimited gourmet dining across multiple specialty restaurants, premium liquors, and a wide array of complimentary land and water sports, including PADI-certified scuba diving. From stunning overwater bungalows to private island hideaways and signature butler service, Sandals focuses on providing a romantic, worry-free environment where every luxury—including airport transfers, tips, and taxes—is seamlessly included.
About Royal Caribbean InternationalRoyal Caribbean International is an industry-leading global cruise line known for pioneering groundbreaking maritime innovations and delivering unmatched family-friendly adventures. Sailing to more than 300 destinations worldwide—including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and Asia—the brand is renowned for pushing the boundaries of what a vacation at sea can offer through its record-setting Oasis and Icon Class ships.
Guests onboard enjoy world-class entertainment, diverse specialty dining, and industry-first thrills ranging from surf simulators and ice rinks to the largest waterparks at sea. Beyond the ship, Royal Caribbean elevates the Caribbean itinerary experience with its exclusive private island destinations, notably Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, which features record-breaking waterslides, expansive freshwater pools, and an exclusive adults-only beach club.
About Unique Luxury Vacations
Unique Luxury Vacations is a dedicated travel agency specializing in curating premium travel experiences, ranging from adults-only Caribbean resort getaways to European river cruises and ocean voyages departing directly out of Baltimore. With personalized planning and insider expertise, the agency partners with top vacation brands—including Sandals Resorts and Royal Caribbean International—to take the guesswork out of booking and ensure travelers receive the best cabin selections, exclusive promotions, and seamless travel arrangements.
To ensure complete peace of mind, the agency also guides travelers in choosing the right travel insurance policy to safeguard every aspect of their journey.
Whether planning an all-inclusive tropical escape, a cultural journey along Europe’s historic waterways, or a family cruise vacation, Unique Luxury Vacations handles every detail from start to finish. From itinerary design and resort recommendations to travel insurance and special occasion arrangements, travelers benefit from dedicated, stress-free support that turns dream getaways into effortless realities.
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