CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 10,702,303	$ 2,352	$ 3,390,117	$ 9,022,405	$ (334,265)	$ (1,378,306)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	7,450	6	7,444
Common stock dividends	(254,093)			(254,093)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	73,630				73,630
Change in defined benefit plans	5,796				5,796
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(10,361)				(10,361)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	684,948			684,948
Purchases of treasury stock	(412,499)					(412,499)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	10,773,698	2,358	3,397,561	9,429,784	(265,200)	(1,790,805)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	10,702,303	2,352	3,390,117	9,022,405	(334,265)	(1,378,306)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Purchases of treasury stock	(300,000)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	11,105,461	2,358	3,420,900	10,263,282	(627,734)	(1,953,345)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018	10,646,796	2,357	3,390,055	9,090,544	(182,815)	(1,653,345)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	7,507	1	7,506
Common stock dividends	(127,055)			(127,055)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(68,900)				(68,900)
Change in defined benefit plans	(1,964)				(1,964)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11,521)				(11,521)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	466,295			466,295
Purchases of treasury stock	(137,460)					(137,460)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	10,773,698	2,358	3,397,561	9,429,784	(265,200)	(1,790,805)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	11,105,461	2,358	3,420,900	10,263,282	(627,734)	(1,953,345)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	28,773	6	33,931			(5,164)
Common stock dividends	(292,903)			(292,903)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(22,891)				(22,891)
Change in defined benefit plans	(10,375)				(10,375)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,827				7,827
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	722,511			722,511
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	11,538,403	2,364	3,454,831	10,692,890	(653,173)	(1,958,509)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	11,269,070	2,364	3,432,419	10,366,612	(578,980)	(1,953,345)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	17,248		22,412			(5,164)
Common stock dividends	(146,552)			(146,552)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(71,734)				(71,734)
Change in defined benefit plans	(9,722)				(9,722)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,263				7,263
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	472,830			472,830
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 11,538,403	$ 2,364	$ 3,454,831	$ 10,692,890	$ (653,173)	$ (1,958,509)