Carnival Corporation says it has no plans to follow Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort business, choosing instead to focus on its eight cruise brands and the onboard experience.
Speaking during Carnival’s Sept. 29 earnings call, President and CEO Josh Weinstein said the company is “laser-focused on improving our cruise business.” He described Carnival as “very proudly a cruise company,” saying its land-based offerings are designed to strengthen the cruise vacation rather than operate as separate resort businesses.
The comments come after Royal Caribbean Group agreed to take a 50% equity stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about $3 billion. Royal Caribbean said the partnership brings together two major vacation companies and supports its broader vacation platform.
For Carnival, private destinations remain the key land-based component of that strategy. Weinstein pointed to Celebration Key in The Bahamas and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, as experiences tied directly to cruise itineraries. Carnival expects Celebration Key to welcome about 2.7 million guests in 2026, rising to 3.5 million in 2027 when four of its cruise brands are expected to visit.
Weinstein said the current land-side buildout at Celebration Key is at capacity and that the company is considering a second phase, though he said it was too early to share details. Carnival’s broader portfolio also includes destinations in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, The Bahamas and Cozumel.
For Florida cruisers comparing vacation options, the distinction is straightforward: Royal Caribbean is expanding into resort ownership, while Carnival says it plans to keep investing in cruise vacations and the private destinations that support them.
