Royal Caribbean Nears $3B Deal for 50% Stake in Sandals Resorts

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) is nearing a roughly $3 billion deal to acquire a 50% stake in Caribbean resort operator Sandals Resorts International, a transaction that would value Sandals at about $6 billion and mark one of the cruise giant's largest acquisitions. Under the discussed structure, Royal Caribbean would become controlling shareholder, with some Stewart family members potentially retaining the remaining 50%. Sources said an agreement could come within days, though talks may still collapse. The deal would push Royal Caribbean into the all-inclusive land resort market, complementing its 71-ship fleet and private destination investments. Sandals operates more than 10 resorts under its flagship and Beaches brands across Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, Barbados and Turks and Caicos. Royal Caribbean shares fell about 6% on the news and have dropped roughly 25% over the past year. Neither company has confirmed the deal.