Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce New Partnership

Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts have announced a major new partnership that will bring together some of the biggest names in cruising and all-inclusive Caribbean holidays.

The agreement will see Royal Caribbean Group take a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, adding all-inclusive resorts to a growing holiday portfolio that already includes Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.

For holidaymakers, the most interesting part of the announcement is what it could mean for future Caribbean holidays, with the 2 companies planning to explore ways of making it easier for guests to discover experiences across their respective cruise and resort portfolios.

What Does the Royal Caribbean and Sandals Partnership Mean?

The partnership brings Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ collection of Caribbean all-inclusive properties together with Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise brands and private destinations.

Royal Caribbean Group currently encompasses Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, while its expanding holiday offering also includes private destinations and its forthcoming river cruise operation. Sandals, meanwhile, operates its adults-only Sandals Resorts alongside the family-focused Beaches Resorts.

The two companies say they will explore opportunities to broaden distribution and make it easier for travellers to discover holidays across both portfolios.

That could potentially create some interesting possibilities for guests looking to combine time at a Caribbean resort with a cruise, although no specific cruise-and-stay packages or new guest benefits have been announced at this stage.

Could This Mean New Cruise and Stay Holidays?

There are no confirmed details yet about how the partnership will translate into new holidays for customers, but the combination of cruise and resort expertise is one of the most interesting aspects of the deal.

Royal Caribbean Group already has a significant presence across the Caribbean through its cruise itineraries and private destinations, while Sandals and Beaches operate resorts across several of the region’s most popular islands.

The companies have said they intend to make it easier for travellers to discover experiences across both portfolios, so there is potential for closer links between land and sea holidays in the future.

We’ll be watching closely for further details about what this could mean for guests.

Will Existing Royal Caribbean or Sandals Bookings Change?

For anyone who already has a holiday booked, there is no immediate change.

Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals have confirmed that existing reservations, loyalty programmes, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual.

The transaction itself is expected to complete in early 2027, subject to the usual approvals and closing conditions.

What Could Come Next?

For now, the partnership is more about future possibilities than immediate changes to the guest experience.

Sandals and Beaches are expected to continue expanding their resort portfolio, supported by the new investment, while the 2 companies will look at ways to connect guests with a wider choice of holidays.

For Royal Caribbean Group, it also marks a significant move beyond cruising and into the all-inclusive resort market. With Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea already offering extensive Caribbean programmes, the addition of Sandals and Beaches creates the potential for a much broader range of Caribbean holidays in the years ahead.

Book Your Caribbean Cruise With Bolsover Cruise Club

From family adventures with Royal Caribbean to premium escapes with Celebrity Cruises and ultra-luxury voyages with Silversea, our Cruise Experts can help you find the Caribbean cruise that’s right for you.

Call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819 819 or browse our latest Caribbean cruise holidays online.