Royal Caribbean Group is reportedly in advanced talks to purchase a 50% equity stake in Sandals Resorts International for roughly $3 billion, a deal that would place the resort company’s valuation at around $6 billion, according to the Financial Times. The two sides could reach an agreement within days, though discussions remain ongoing and could still fall through.
Under the proposed deal, some heirs of Sandals founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart would retain equity holdings in the business, while Royal Caribbean would become the controlling shareholder and could eventually acquire complete ownership, the Financial Times reported.
Should the deal go through, it would become Royal Caribbean’s largest acquisition ever and further diversify the company’s business beyond the cruise industry.
That expansion would give Royal Caribbean access to Sandals’ established all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean, with properties in destinations including Jamaica, Saint Vincent, Curaçao, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Grenada, The Bahamas, and Antigua.
The potential deal would also build on Royal Caribbean’s existing investments in land-based vacation experiences. The company already operates destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and has been expanding its portfolio of private destinations and beach experiences.
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