Royal Caribbean to Buy 50% Stake in Sandals Resorts for $3 Billion

03:29 AM EDT, 09/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Royal Caribbean (RCL) said Wednesday it will acquire a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for roughly $3 billion as part of a partnership to bolster its vacation platform beyond cruise experiences. The partnership includes the Jamaican resort operator Sandals and Beaches' portfolio of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, the company said. The cruise-holding company said the joint venture will be overseen by a board under the shared leadership of Adam Stewart and Jason Liberty, chairman of Sandals Resorts and Royal Caribbean, respectively. Royal Caribbean will fund the investment through committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley (MS), and the deal is expected to close in early 2027, it added.