CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Passenger ticket revenues	$ 6,149,323	$ 6,058,821	$ 5,893,847
Onboard and other revenues	2,347,078	2,240,253	2,180,008
Total revenues	8,496,401	8,299,074	8,073,855
Cruise operating expenses:
Commissions, transportation and other	1,349,677	1,400,778	1,372,785
Onboard and other	493,558	553,104	582,750
Payroll and related	882,891	861,775	847,641
Food	485,673	480,009	478,130
Fuel	713,676	795,801	947,391
Other operating	1,090,064	1,007,926	1,077,584
Total cruise operating expenses	5,015,539	5,099,393	5,306,281
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses	1,100,290	1,086,504	1,048,952
Depreciation and amortization expenses	894,915	827,008	772,445
Impairment of Pullmantur related assets	0	411,267	0
Restructuring charges	8,452	0	4,318
Total operating costs	7,019,196	7,424,172	7,131,996
Operating Income	1,477,205	874,902	941,859
Other income (expense):
Interest income	20,856	12,025	10,344
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(307,370)	(277,725)	(258,299)
Equity investment income	128,350	81,026	51,640
Other (expense) income	(35,653)	(24,445)	18,602
Total other income (expense)	(193,817)	(209,119)	(177,713)
Net Income	$ 1,283,388	$ 665,783	$ 764,146
Basic Earnings per Share:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 5.96	$ 3.03	$ 3.45
Diluted Earnings per Share:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 5.93	$ 3.02	$ 3.43
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income	$ 1,283,388	$ 665,783	$ 764,146
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,362	(30,152)	(26,102)
Change in defined benefit plans	(1,636)	4,760	(7,213)
Gain (loss) on cash flow derivative hedges	411,223	(406,047)	(869,350)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	411,949	(431,439)	(902,665)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	1,695,337	234,344	(138,519)
Loss from elimination of reporting lag of subsidiary	$ (21,700)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		$ 12,000	$ 33,500