One of the world’s leading cruise operators, Royal Caribbean Group, is in advanced discussions to purchase a majority controlling stake in Caribbean resort giant Sandals Resorts International, multiple sources familiar with the talks told the Financial Times in a report published Tuesday. The ongoing negotiations value the iconic Caribbean hotel chain at more than US$6 billion, a figure that reflects the full enterprise valuation of Sandals rather than the sum Royal Caribbean would pay for its controlling share. As of this reporting, no binding agreement has been reached between the two parties.
Per details of the negotiations outlined by the Financial Times, the Stewart family, which founded and has long owned Sandals, would maintain a minority stake in the business after the transaction closes. While insiders suggest a formal deal could be finalized within the next several days, the discussions remain fluid and could still collapse without resulting in a transaction, the report noted.
The potential acquisition carries notable implications for Antigua and Barbuda, where Sandals operates its flagship adults-only all-inclusive property, Sandals Grande Antigua, along the popular Dickenson Bay coastline. The resort is a key contributor to the island nation’s core tourism sector, though there has been no indication that the proposed change in ownership would bring immediate alterations to the property’s daily operations, existing staff arrangements, or confirmed guest bookings.
For Royal Caribbean, the proposed deal marks a major strategic expansion beyond its core cruise line business, allowing the company to extend its brand footprint into the on-land Caribbean resort market. If completed, the transaction would stand as the largest acquisition in Royal Caribbean’s corporate history, the Financial Times reported. All key terms of the proposed deal, including the final purchase price for the controlling stake, formal ownership structure breakdown, and official closing timeline, remain unconfirmed as talks continue.