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The Sandals & Royal Caribbean Group Partnership: What It Means for You
Some news makes you sit up—and this is one of those. On September 23, 2026, Sandals Resorts and Royal Caribbean Group announced a landmark partnership. As a proud Sandals and Beaches Resorts travel partner, we couldn't be more excited about what the Sandals Royal Caribbean partnership signals for the travelers we serve.
Disclosure: Limin' Professionals earns a commission when you book Sandals or Beaches through the partner links on this page, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend partners we place our own guests with.
What Was Announced
Royal Caribbean Group—the company behind Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea—is making an approximately US$3 billion investment to form a joint venture with Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The partnership pairs Sandals and Beaches' four-plus decades of all-inclusive Caribbean expertise with Royal Caribbean Group's global vacation platform: its cruise brands, a collection of private destinations, a new river-cruising line, and an industry-leading loyalty program.
The deal is expected to close in early 2027. And—importantly for anyone with a trip on the books—existing reservations, loyalty programs, and resort operations continue exactly as they are, now with additional resources behind them.
The Vision Behind It
"My father, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality," said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. "Today is proof of how far that vision can go." Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty framed the shared ambition simply: "turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations."
Stewart also made a point that matters to us directly. The company, he said, will "remain true to what has always defined us—delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home." That partner commitment is the lane we work in every day.
What the Sandals Royal Caribbean Partnership Means for You
Here's why we're genuinely excited on your behalf. This partnership connects the Caribbean's finest all-inclusive resorts to one of the world's most complete vacation ecosystems. For you, that points to a future where a Sandals adults-only escape or a Beaches family week can pair naturally with a cruise or a private-island day—more ways to build the exact trip you want, under one connected umbrella.
It also means acceleration. Beaches is already expanding—to Exuma, Barbados, Runaway Bay and Saint Vincent—which is wonderful news for the families and multigenerational groups we love to plan for. And with major long-term investment now behind these resorts, the experience only gets stronger from here.
Why This Aligns With How We Travel
There's a reason this news resonates with us beyond the business of it. Sandals was built on the conviction that Caribbean excellence belongs on the world stage—authentic, rooted in community, and delivered to a standard that rivals anyone, anywhere.
That is exactly how we see our own work. We're a Caribbean-rooted, Black-owned luxury travel company that brings discerning travelers to the region and insists the experience honor what the Caribbean creates. "A company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage"—we've believed that about ourselves from day one. Watching one of the region's iconic brands carry that belief onto a global platform is, frankly, inspiring.
Planning a Sandals or Beaches Escape?
Whether it's an adults-only Sandals suite for two or a Beaches villa for the whole family, we handle it end to end—the right resort, the right room, every detail managed—so all you do is arrive and enjoy. If you're weighing the two, our Beaches vs. Sandals comparison breaks down which fits you. As a Sandals and Beaches partner, we bring you these all-inclusive experiences with a concierge in your corner.
FAQ
What did Sandals and Royal Caribbean announce?
On September 23, 2026, Royal Caribbean Group announced an approximately US$3 billion investment to form a joint venture with Sandals and Beaches Resorts, pairing the resorts' all-inclusive Caribbean expertise with Royal Caribbean Group's global cruise and vacation platform. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027.
Will my existing Sandals or Beaches booking change?
No. Per the announcement, existing reservations, loyalty programs, and resort operations continue as usual—now with additional resources behind them.
Can I book Sandals or Beaches through Limin' Professionals?
Yes. As a Sandals and Beaches partner, we plan and book both brands for couples, families, and groups, and we manage every detail from the right resort to the right room.
Source: Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts partnership announcement, Sandals Resorts news, September 23, 2026.
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