Royal Caribbean and Sandals Are Teaming Up! Here’s What It Means for Your Family
If your social feeds looked anything like ours this week, you saw the same headline over and over… Royal Caribbean and Sandals! And if your very first thought was “wait, does this change my vacation?” you are absolutely not alone. That’s the question we heard first, and it’s the one we want to answer for you right here. Below you’ll find the news in plain English, what it means if you’re already booked, and our favorite part… how families can use this moment to plan a year that includes both a cruise and an all-inclusive.
The Royal Caribbean and Sandals Partnership in Plain English
On September 23, 2026, Royal Caribbean Group announced it will buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about $3 billion. The two companies are forming a partnership together, and the deal is expected to officially close in early 2027 once the usual approvals are complete. You can read the full announcement in the official Sandals press release.
Here’s the part that helps it all make sense. Royal Caribbean Group is the parent company behind Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. So this is a family of cruise lines teaming up with one of the best known names in Caribbean all-inclusive resorts. For years, cruises and all-inclusives have been competing for the very same families and the very same vacation days. Now they’re on the same team!
You don’t need to follow the business side of it (that’s our job!). What you do want to know is how it touches your own plans, so let’s get into that.
Already Booked at Sandals or Beaches? Your Trip Is Safe
Take a deep breath, because this is the good news. Both companies have said that existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations, and cruise operations will all continue as usual. Your dates, your room, and your plans stay exactly as they are. There’s nothing you need to do and nobody you need to call.
If you booked with us, we’re watching for updates on your behalf. And if anything ever does affect your trip down the road, you’ll hear it from your advisor first, with a clear explanation of what it means for your family and what (if anything) comes next. That’s exactly why we’re here… so you can spend your energy counting down to the beach instead of reading financial news.
Why This Matters for Families: Beaches Is Growing
Here’s a quick refresher that trips a lot of families up. Sandals resorts are adults only. Beaches is the family side of the brand, where kids are welcome and the whole resort is built around family time together. Right now, there are only two Beaches resorts in operation, which means families have had just a couple of places to choose from. You can explore both on our Sandals and Beaches Resorts page.
That’s why this piece of the story made us so excited! Reports on the deal note that Sandals is preparing to double the footprint of the Beaches brand, and the new investment is meant to help the company grow across the Caribbean faster. We don’t have details yet on where or when new Beaches resorts will open, and we won’t guess. But more family-focused all-inclusive options in the future is something we’re genuinely thrilled to see for our families. If you’re comparing options right now, our guide to the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families in 2026 is a great place to start.
Cruise Family or Resort Family? You Don’t Have to Choose
One of the most common things we hear from moms is, “We can’t decide between a cruise and an all-inclusive.” And honestly… it’s a fair question, because each one shines in its own way. A cruise lets you see several destinations while unpacking just once. An all-inclusive lets you settle in, stay put, and let the days slow way down with your toes in the sand. If you’re new to resorts, here’s what all-inclusive really means for family vacations.
This partnership is a great reminder that these two trips aren’t really rivals. They work beautifully together, and plenty of families end up loving both. Here are a few ways we help families plan for both.
Plan a Land and Sea Year
Instead of picking one, spread the fun across the year! Maybe it’s a Beaches getaway over spring break and a Royal Caribbean sailing in the summer, or the other way around. When the same advisor plans both trips, you only have to share your family’s needs once. We already know who needs a nap schedule, who’s the picky eater, and who will want to be in the pool from sunrise to sunset. See how we plan family cruise vacations too.
Give the Kids Their Trip, Then Take Yours
A family cruise can be packed with pools, activities, and time together. Then, because Sandals is adults only, it’s the perfect place for mom and dad to reconnect for an anniversary or a much needed getaway of their own. We truly believe mom deserves a break from the routine too, and this is one of our favorite ways to make that happen.
Try Both Before You Decide What Your Family Loves Most
If your family has never done either one, you don’t have to guess which style fits. We’ll walk you through what each vacation really looks like day to day for families like yours, so your first trip feels like the right one.
One important note: there are no combined cruise and resort packages from this partnership right now. Today, a cruise and a Beaches or Sandals stay are booked as two separate trips, and that’s where we come in. We plan both, keep all the details organized, and make sure each trip fits your family.
What We’re Watching Next
Since the deal isn’t expected to close until early 2027, most of what comes next hasn’t been announced yet. We’ll be keeping an eye out for any news that could matter to our families, like new Beaches resort openings or anything new for travelers who love both cruising and all-inclusives. When there’s something real to share, we’ll share it here, clearly and simply.
Travel news moves quickly, and you have enough on your plate. You don’t need to track industry headlines to plan a wonderful vacation. You just need someone in your corner who does!
Ready to Plan Your Cruise, Your Beaches Getaway, or Both?
Whether you’re dreaming of a family week at Beaches, a Royal Caribbean adventure, or a year that includes a little of each, we’d love to help you plan it. Fill out our contact form and one of our advisors will reach out within 24 hours to start building a trip around your family’s needs and wishes.
Helping you create memories for a lifetime, one expertly planned vacation at a time!
