Fair Value Of Excluded Component For Net Investment Hedge

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Gain Recognized In Income Related To Excluded Component For Net Investment Hedge

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_GainRecognizedInIncomeRelatedToExcludedComponentForNetInvestmentHedge
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gain Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Related To Excluded Component For Net Investment Hedge

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_GainRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossRelatedToExcludedComponentForNetInvestmentHedge
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net Inception Fair Value Of Excluded Component For Net Investment Hedge

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fuel costs incurred that are directly related to goods produced and sold and services rendered during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

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

- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

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

- Definition

The net amount of nonoperating interest income (expense).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873765&loc=SL114874048-224260

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=SL7669625-108580

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(18))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873790&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(20))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of income (expense) related to nonoperating activities, classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=rcl_ForeignCurrencyForwardTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=rcl_ForeignCurrencyCollarOptionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=rcl_CommodityContractTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis=us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments - Designated Cash Flow Hedges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Depreciation and amortization	$ 259,923	$ 240,150	$ 753,529	$ 710,836
Other income (expense)	(3,832)	(1,226)	5,923	(6,546)
Fuel	182,415	160,752	515,065	508,914
Net income	810,391	752,842	1,495,339	1,337,094
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net [Abstract]
Net inception fair value at January 1, 2018					$ (11,335)
Amount of gain recognized in income on derivatives for the period ended September 30, 2018			2,232
Amount of loss remaining to be amortized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, as of September 30, 2018			2,609
Fair value at September 30, 2018	(11,712)		(11,712)
Cash flow hedge
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	36,574	186,935	106,505	230,341
Cash flow hedge \| Interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	10,166	(3,154)	56,223	(24,703)
Cash flow hedge \| Foreign currency forward contracts
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	(35,397)	122,211	(133,360)	221,861
Cash flow hedge \| Foreign currency forward contracts
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	0	0	0	0
Cash flow hedge \| Foreign currency collar options
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	0	0	0	0
Cash flow hedge \| Fuel swaps
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	0	0	0	0
Cash flow hedge \| Fuel Swap
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative	61,805	67,878	183,642	33,183
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Net income	(745)	(43,605)	(5,157)	(152,169)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Net income	(373)	(43,312)	(4,071)	(151,319)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges \| Interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(1,395)	(7,860)	(10,371)	(24,580)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges \| Foreign currency forward contracts
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Depreciation and amortization	(3,157)	(2,710)	(9,625)	(8,130)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges \| Foreign currency forward contracts
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Other income (expense)	(835)	(1,512)	13,808	(9,187)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges \| Foreign currency collar options
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Depreciation and amortization	0	(602)	0	(1,806)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges \| Fuel swaps
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Other income (expense)	466	1,758	658	6,533
Fuel	4,548	(32,386)	1,459	(114,149)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges \| Fuel Swap
Effect of derivative instruments involved in hedging on the consolidated financial statements
Fuel	$ 4,548	$ (32,386)	$ 1,459	$ (114,149)