Contractual Amount Under Funding Agreement For Variable Interest Entity For All Investors

No definition available.

Name:	rcl_ContractualAmountUnderFundingAgreementForVariableInterestEntityForAllInvestors
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate investments in an entity accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This investment is the sum of loans made to the entity and the amount of equity investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_EquityAndLoansDueFromEquityMethodInvestee
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of loan obtained by the entity, for which guarantee to the lender for payment has been provided by third party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_GuaranteePercent
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of ships on order.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_NumberOfShipsOnOrder
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of the contract price of the ship which the bank has committed to finance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_PercentageOfBankCommittedFinancing
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of subsidiary which has been sold.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_PercentageofSubsidiaryWhichHasBeenSold
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage which the reporting entity agreed to guarantee for repayment of a loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyGuarantorObligationPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the additional amount outstanding under a credit facility provided by the reporting entity to a related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionAdditionalLineofCreditBorrowingOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the minimum ownership percentage which the reporting entity needs to maintain of the related party in order to remain compliant with a related construction and credit agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionConstructionAgreementCovenantOwnershipPercentageMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the interest rate stated in a contractual debt agreement with a related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionLineOfCreditStatedInterestRatePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Long-Term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. This does not include advances to clients.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-04.2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e603758-122996

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82887183&loc=d3e6812-107765

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdvancesToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the entity's ownership percentage in the investee multiplied by the investee's total equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66022249&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentHoldingsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3)(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from the collection of money previously advanced to an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfAdvanceToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of transactions with related party during the financial reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of subsidiary's or equity investee's stock owned by parent company after stock transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockPercentageOfOwnershipAfterTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77990344&loc=d3e5728-111685

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77990344&loc=d3e5747-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=rcl_TUICruisesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=rcl_PullmanturAndCDFCroisieresDeFranceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=rcl_ShipRepairAndMaintenanceFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis=rcl_NonaccrualstatusofadvancestoaffiliatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_ShareholdersEquityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_LoansReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=rcl_SkyseaHoldingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationByPropertyOrProjectAxis=rcl_SplendoroftheSeasMember
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Other Assets (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Other Assets (Details)	Apr. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) ship	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 EUR (€) ship	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016 EUR (€)	Jul. 31, 2016
Other Assets
Principal and Interest payments received			$ 62,303,000	$ 38,213,000	$ 124,253,000
TUI Cruises GmbH joint venture
Other Assets
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest			50.00%			50.00%
Equity and loans due from equity method investee			$ 624,500,000	517,000,000
Equity investment			422,800,000	323,500,000
Loan investment			$ 199,800,000	192,400,000		€ 166,500,000		€ 182,300,000
Related party guarantor obligation percentage			50.00%
Amount outstanding under line of credit provided to TUI Cruises			$ 114,200,000			€ 95,100,000
Number of ships on order \| ship			2			2
Bank financing commitment percentage			80.00%			80.00%
Long term debt, principal amount			$ 180,100,000.0			€ 150,000,000.0
Reduction of current ownership interest, minimum allowed (as a percent)			37.55%			37.55%
Pullmantur and CDF Croisieres De France
Other Assets
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest			49.00%			49.00%
Loan investment			$ 18,000,000			€ 15,000,000
Interest rate on debt facility provided to related party (as a percent)			6.50%			6.50%
Related party guarantor obligation percentage			51.00%
Retained ownership percentage of subsidiary after sale			49.00%
Percentage of subsidiary which has been sold			51.00%			51.00%			51.00%
Maximum loss exposure			$ 53,700,000	43,700,000
Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. \| Not Primary Beneficiary
Other Assets
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest			40.00%			40.00%
Payments to related parties for services provided			$ 16,000,000	39,800,000
Net book value of equity method investment			49,400,000	47,000,000
Principal and Interest payments received			$ 15,700,000
Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. \| Not Primary Beneficiary \| non-accrual status of advances to affiliates
Other Assets
Interest rate on debt facility provided to related party (as a percent)			5.50%			5.50%
Debt instrument, term			10 years
Principal and Interest payments received				14,800,000
Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. \| Not Primary Beneficiary \| Equity
Other Assets
Equity investment			$ 32,400,000	23,200,000
Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. \| Not Primary Beneficiary \| Loans Receivable
Other Assets
Loan investment			$ 17,000,000	23,800,000
Skysea Holding \| Not Primary Beneficiary
Other Assets
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest		36.00%	36.00%			36.00%	35.00%
Equity investment			$ 4,400,000	9,200,000
Loan investment			$ 91,600,000	88,800,000
Interest rate on debt facility provided to related party (as a percent)			6.50%			6.50%
Net book value of equity method investment			$ 96,000,000	$ 98,000,000
Payments to acquire equity method investments		$ 7,100,000
Contractual amount under funding agreement For variable interest entity for all investors			30,000,000
Debt facility due from subsidiary			$ 80,000,000
Conditional guarantee commitment percentage			100.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. \| Not Primary Beneficiary \| non-accrual status of advances to affiliates
Other Assets
Margin on floating rate base (as a percent)			3.50%
Splendor of the Seas \| TUI Cruises GmbH joint venture
Other Assets
Interest rate on debt facility provided to related party (as a percent)	6.25%
Debt instrument, term	10 years
Related party guarantor obligation percentage	50.00%