CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Passenger ticket revenues	$ 1,786,746	$ 1,672,051	$ 4,590,048	$ 4,432,542
Onboard and other revenues	602,016	639,698	1,665,981	1,673,194
Total revenues	2,388,762	2,311,749	6,256,029	6,105,736
Cruise operating expenses:
Commissions, transportation and other	396,916	378,291	1,068,961	1,017,734
Onboard and other	182,658	178,269	456,296	440,466
Payroll and related	214,260	213,860	634,232	632,758
Food	120,908	119,104	358,172	351,117
Fuel	230,818	215,686	718,081	689,809
Other operating	281,322	311,591	825,794	890,726
Total cruise operating expenses	1,426,882	1,416,801	4,061,536	4,022,610
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses	239,662	249,954	790,957	781,936
Depreciation and amortization expenses	192,448	188,541	579,063	564,089
Restructuring charges	308	12,244	1,958	13,922
Operating Income	529,462	444,209	822,515	723,179
Other income (expense):
Interest income	2,117	3,299	8,023	10,451
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(60,100)	(79,654)	(193,931)	(256,713)
Extinguishment of unsecured senior notes	0	(4,206)	0	(4,206)
Other income	18,769	2,053	17,771	(6,037)
Total other income (expense)	(39,214)	(78,508)	(168,137)	(256,505)
Net Income	490,248	365,701	654,378	466,674
Earnings per Share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.20	$ 1.66	$ 2.95	$ 2.13
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.19	$ 1.65	$ 2.93	$ 2.11
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	222,523	219,744	222,007	219,450
Diluted (in shares)	223,859	221,004	223,351	220,744
Comprehensive Income
Net Income	490,248	365,701	654,378	466,674
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(18,482)	6,164	(17,845)	369
Change in defined benefit plans	(1,451)	5,423	(5,536)	10,716
(Loss) gain on cash flow derivative hedges	(249,626)	61,573	(323,179)	56,515
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(269,559)	73,160	(346,560)	67,600
Comprehensive Income	$ 220,689	$ 438,861	$ 307,818	$ 534,274