There’s big news from Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

Royal Caribbean Group recently announced a new partnership with Sandals Resorts International. While much of the coverage has focused on the business side of the deal, there’s another part of the announcement that caught our attention:

Sandals and Beaches are growing, with new resorts and new destinations on the way.

Here’s what we know so far.

New Sandals and Beaches resorts are coming

Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart has confirmed that the company is entering a significant period of expansion, with plans for both new Sandals Resorts and new Beaches Resorts. Some of those new hotels are expected to be announced relatively quickly, and Stewart has confirmed that some will be in new destinations for the brands.

The company is also preparing to expand beyond the region it has called home for more than four decades. “The time has come for us to go further than the four corners of the Caribbean,” Stewart said while discussing the company's future growth.

Sandals hasn't revealed those new destinations yet, but the expansion beyond the Caribbean is now part of the company's announced growth plans.

More Beaches Resorts are on the way

The Beaches Resorts brand is also set to grow.

New Beaches projects are planned for The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, giving families more destinations to choose from in the years ahead. That's especially significant for Beaches, which currently has a much smaller resort portfolio than its adults-only Sandals sister brand. The expansion will bring the Beaches all-inclusive experience — including dining, kids' clubs, water sports, activities and entertainment — to more families and more destinations.

Existing resorts are getting major upgrades

Growth isn't limited to new resorts.

Sandals is also investing heavily in its existing properties. Stewart has said that every resort in the company's current portfolio is either undergoing improvements or preparing for them. Those projects range from updates and renovations to larger resort transformations, representing a significant investment in the existing Sandals and Beaches portfolio.

What does Royal Caribbean have to do with it?

Royal Caribbean Group's new partnership with Sandals Resorts International brings the two vacation companies together while Sandals enters this next stage of expansion. Importantly, Sandals and Beaches will continue to operate as their own brands under their existing leadership.

For travelers, there are no announced changes to the basic Sandals or Beaches vacation experience as a result of the partnership, and the announcement did not include new Royal Caribbean ships or cruise itineraries.

The news for Sandals and Beaches guests right now is much simpler:

More resorts are coming. More Beaches Resorts are coming. New destinations are coming. Existing resorts are being upgraded. And Sandals has confirmed plans to expand beyond the Caribbean.

So, where is Sandals going next?

That part is still a secret.

Sandals has not yet announced the new destinations involved in its expansion beyond the Caribbean. What the company has confirmed is that new hotels are in development, some are expected to arrive relatively quickly, and some will introduce Sandals and Beaches to destinations where the brands haven't operated before. We'll be watching for those announcements — and we'll share the details as soon as the next destinations are revealed.

Thinking about a Sandals or Beaches vacation? Our Crazy Imagination Travel advisors can help you find the resort that fits your vacation style, whether you're planning a romantic adults-only getaway or an all-inclusive family vacation.