Royal Caribbean Group has acquired a 50 percent stake in Sandals Resorts, a major move that signals its growing interest in the hotel and resort industry. The deal, valued at about $3 billion, includes Sandals and its sister brand, Beaches Resorts, both known for their all-inclusive vacation packages. This acquisition adds to Royal Caribbean's existing holdings, which currently include 17 all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean. The company aims to enhance and expand these properties as part of its broader strategy. Royal Caribbean Group is already well-known for its cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. In recent years, the company has been expanding its footprint beyond cruise ships by developing private beaches and islands for guests. For example, it opened a Royal Beach Club in the Bahamas last year and another in Santorini this summer. Guests of its Caribbean cruises can also visit CocoCay, a private island in the Bahamas. The company is also developing Royal Beach Club Lelepa on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, and plans to open the Perfect Day Mexico private island experience in 2027. Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said the partnership with Sandals and Beaches Resorts is a significant step in creating a comprehensive vacation platform that brings joy to millions of travelers and builds lasting relationships with guests. The new joint venture will be managed by a board of directors, with shared leadership between Liberty and Adam Stewart, the CEO of Sandals Resorts. Adam Stewart, who took over leadership of Sandals Resorts, noted that his father, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, founded the company with the vision that a Caribbean-based business could compete with the world's top hospitality brands. This acquisition continues that legacy, as Sandals expands its reach under the partnership with Royal Caribbean Group.