On September 23, Royal Caribbean Group said it will buy half of Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about $3 billion. If your family has a Beaches trip on the calendar, or you have been pricing a Caribbean all-inclusive, here is what the Royal Caribbean Sandals deal changes for you and what it does not.
What the Royal Caribbean Sandals deal is
Royal Caribbean Group is taking a 50% stake. The two companies will run Sandals and Beaches as a joint venture, led together by Royal Caribbean’s chief executive, Jason Liberty, and Sandals’ executive chairman, Adam Stewart. Stewart stays in his role.
The deal is not done yet. Both companies expect it to close in early 2027, once the usual approvals come through. You can read the details in the companies’ announcement.
What does not change
The companies put it in one sentence: “Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual.”
So if you are booked, you are booked. Your reservation stands as it is. Sandals stays the adults-only brand. Beaches stays the family brand, with resorts in Negril and Turks and Caicos today.
If you already have a trip booked, there is nothing you need to do.
What could change, and when
Nothing this year. After the deal closes, two things are worth watching.
More Beaches resorts. Beaches already has new family resorts on the way in Exuma, Barbados, Runaway Bay and Saint Vincent. The companies say the partnership brings more resources for that kind of growth. More family resorts would mean more choice on dates and islands.
A cruise and a resort in one trip. The companies say they will look at ways to connect the two sides. Nothing has been announced, and until it is, I would not plan around it.
My read, as the one who books these trips
I book families into Sandals and Beaches, and I book Royal Caribbean. The Royal Caribbean Sandals deal does not change my advice. Pick the trip that fits your family and your dates, and do not wait on this deal.
If a combined trip shows up in 2027, I will tell you what it costs and whether it is worth it.
Which would your family pick first: the ship or the beach?
Thinking about a Caribbean trip for next year? My planning help costs you nothing on trips like these.
