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Royal Caribbean in Talks to Buy Half of Sandals in Reported $3 Billion Deal

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Sandals Grande Antigua

Royal Caribbean is in talks to acquire a 50 percent stake in Sandals Resorts in a deal that would value the Caribbean hotel company at $6 billion, according to a CNBC report published Tuesday.

Citing a person familiar with the discussions, CNBC said Royal Caribbean would pay about $3 billion for the stake. The talks are ongoing, and there is no guarantee a deal will be reached.

The proposed investment would give Royal Caribbean a major foothold in Caribbean all-inclusive resorts as the cruise company expands its vacation offerings beyond ships and private destinations. Sandals and its Beaches brand operate more than a dozen properties across the region.

Royal Caribbean shares fell roughly 6 percent following reports of the potential transaction, which was first reported by the Financial Times, CNBC said.

Neither company had responded to CNBC’s requests for comment at the time of its report.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/09/22/royal-caribbean-in-talks-to-buy-half-of-sandals-in-reported-3-billion-deal. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

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Comments (5)

  • Devorne Carter September 22, 2026, 11:18 PM

    Interesting development. If Royal Caribbean actually acquires 50% of Sandals, that would be a major shift in the Caribbean tourism industry. Sandals is already a huge name in the region, so having a major cruise company become a half-owner could bring more investment and visitors, but it also raises questions about how much control Caribbean-owned tourism brands will retain. Since the talks are still ongoing and nothing has been finalized, I think we should wait and see what the actual deal would mean for the islands and the people working in the tourism sector.
    Reply

  • Renee September 22, 2026, 11:20 PM

    Sandals has been a Caribbean name for decades. Seeing a major international cruise company potentially take a 50% stake is definitely a big moment. I hope whatever happens benefits the region and not just the shareholders.
    Reply

  • Food4thought September 22, 2026, 11:21 PM

    $3 billion for a 50 percent stake. That is some serious business.
    Reply

  • Kenneth September 22, 2026, 11:22 PM

    My first thought was actually about the workers. Whenever a major ownership change happens, people should be asking what it means for employees, management and the businesses that supply these resorts.
    Reply

  • Juju Bee September 24, 2026, 7:12 PM

    Thats money people move. It doesn’t benefit me in one way or another
    Reply

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