Selected Information for Cruise and Tour and Other Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,684		$ 5,058		$ 11,804		$ 12,096
Operating expenses	2,597		2,814		7,769		7,730
Selling and administrative	409		421		1,261		1,282
Depreciation and amortization	383		390		1,135		1,137
Ibero Impairment charges					173
Operating Income	1,295		1,433		1,466		1,947
North America Cruise Brands
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,934	[1]	2,819	[1]	7,186	[1]	6,810	[1]
Operating expenses	1,642	[1]	1,575	[1]	4,670	[1]	4,350	[1]
Selling and administrative	231	[1]	228	[1]	706	[1]	700	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	227	[1]	220	[1]	669	[1]	649	[1]
Operating Income	834	[1]	796	[1]	1,141	[1]	1,111	[1]
EAA Cruise Brands
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,657		2,004		4,462		4,975
Operating expenses	956		1,103		3,063		3,215
Selling and administrative	153		160		467		485
Depreciation and amortization	140		152		417		432
Ibero Impairment charges					173
Operating Income	408		589		342		843
Cruise Support
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	22		20		64		62
Operating expenses	(5)		(7)		4		(14)
Selling and administrative	23		25		82		79
Depreciation and amortization	6		7		19		23
Operating Income	(2)		(5)		(41)		(26)
Tour and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	158	[1]	305	[1]	186	[1]	349	[1]
Operating expenses	91	[1]	233	[1]	126	[1]	279	[1]
Selling and administrative	2	[1]	8	[1]	6	[1]	18	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	10	[1]	11	[1]	30	[1]	33	[1]
Operating Income	55	[1]	53	[1]	24	[1]	19	[1]
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(87)	[1]	(90)	[1]	(94)	[1]	(100)	[1]
Operating expenses	$ (87)	[1]	$ (90)	[1]	$ (94)	[1]	$ (100)	[1]

[1] In 2011, a portion of Tour and Other segment revenues included revenues for the cruise portion of a tour when a cruise was sold along with a land tour package by Holland America Princess Alaska Tours. These intersegment cruise revenues, which were included in our North America cruise brands' segment, were eliminated directly against the Tour and Other segment revenues and operating expenses in the line "Intersegment elimination."