Segment Information Selected Information for Cruise and Tour and Other Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2014 Segment		Aug. 31, 2013		Nov. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments				3
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment								$ 15
Revenues	4,947	4,726		12,165		11,798
Operating expenses	2,754	2,917		7,906		8,003
Selling and administrative	481	439		1,507		1,347
Depreciation and amortization	414	406		1,227		1,186
Operating income	1,298	951		1,525		1,249
North America Cruise Brands
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,035	2,975		7,321	[1]	7,212	[1]
Operating expenses	1,791	1,820		4,898	[1]	4,837	[1]
Selling and administrative	271	248		848	[1]	762	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	243	235		716	[1]	691	[1]
Operating income	730	672		859	[1]	922	[1]
EAA Cruise Brands
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,839	1,704		4,709		4,464
Operating expenses	977	1,133		2,989		3,147
Selling and administrative	163	163		529		494
Depreciation and amortization	156	156		465		449
Operating income	543	239	[2]	726		361
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)								13
Cruise Support
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	25	23		63		73
Operating expenses	(2)	(2)		(1)		34
Selling and administrative	45	25		124		85
Depreciation and amortization	6	7		20		18
Operating income	(24)	(7)		(80)		(64)
Tour and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	144	141		182	[1]	177	[1]
Operating expenses	84	83		130	[1]	113	[1]
Selling and administrative	2	3		6	[1]	6	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	9	8		26	[1]	28	[1]
Operating income	49	47		20	[1]	30	[1]
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(96)	(117)		(110)	[1]	(128)	[1]
Operating expenses	(96)	(117)		(110)	[1]	(128)	[1]
Selling and administrative	0	0		0		0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0		0		0
Operating income	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] A portion of the North America cruise brands’ segment revenues includes revenues for the tour portion of a cruise when a land tour package is sold along with a cruise by either Holland America Line or Princess. These intersegment tour revenues, which are included in our Tour and Other segment, are eliminated directly against the North America cruise brands’ segment revenues and operating expenses in the line “Intersegment elimination.”(b)Includes a $13 million impairment charge related to Ibero’s trademarks.

[2] The net difference between the fair value of our fixed rate debt and its carrying value was due to the market interest rates in existence at August 31, 2014 and November 30, 2013 being lower than the fixed interest rates on these debt obligations, including the impact of any changes in our credit ratings. At August 31, 2014 and November 30, 2013, the net difference between the fair value of our floating rate debt and its carrying value was due to the market interest rates in existence at August 31, 2014 and November 30, 2013, being slightly higher and slightly lower, respectively, than the floating interest rates on these debt obligations, including the impact of any changes in our credit ratings. The fair values of our publicly-traded notes were based on their unadjusted quoted market prices in markets that are not sufficiently active to be Level 1. The fair values of our other debt were estimated based on appropriate market interest rates being applied to this debt.