CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total revenues		$ 9,493,849	$ 8,777,845	$ 8,496,401
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		5,262,207	4,896,579	5,015,539
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses		1,303,144	1,186,016	1,108,742
Depreciation and amortization expenses		1,033,697	951,194	894,915
Operating Income		1,894,801	1,744,056	1,477,205
Other income (expense):
Interest income		32,800	30,101	20,856
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized		(333,672)	(299,982)	(307,370)
Equity investment income		210,756	156,247	128,350
Other income (expense)	[1]	11,107	(5,289)	(35,653)
Total other income (expense)		(79,009)	(118,923)	(193,817)
Net Income		1,815,792	1,625,133	1,283,388
Less: Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		4,750	0	0
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.		$ 1,811,042	$ 1,625,133	$ 1,283,388
Earnings per Share:
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 8.60	$ 7.57	$ 5.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 8.56	$ 7.53	$ 5.93
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net Income		$ 1,815,792	$ 1,625,133	$ 1,283,388
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(14,251)	17,307	2,362
Change in defined benefit plans		7,643	(5,583)	(1,636)
(Loss) gain on cash flow derivative hedges		(286,861)	570,495	411,223
Total other comprehensive (loss) income		(293,469)	582,219	411,949
Comprehensive Income		1,522,323	2,207,352	1,695,337
Less: Comprehensive Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		4,750	0	0
Comprehensive Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.		1,517,573	2,207,352	1,695,337
Loss from elimination of reporting lag of subsidiary				(21,700)
Passenger ticket revenues
Total revenues		6,792,716	6,313,170	6,149,323
Onboard and other revenues
Total revenues		2,701,133	2,464,675	2,347,078
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		537,355	495,552	493,558
Commissions, transportation and other
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		1,433,739	1,363,170	1,349,677
Payroll and related
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		924,985	852,990	882,891
Food
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		520,909	492,857	485,673
Fuel
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		710,617	681,118	713,676
Other operating
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses		$ 1,134,602	$ 1,010,892	$ 1,090,064

[1] For the year ended December 31, 2016, Other income (expense) included a $21.7 million loss related to the 2016 elimination of the Pullmantur reporting lag.