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	35,699	6	35,693
Common stock dividends	(400,376)			(400,376)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	110,576				110,576
Change in defined benefit plans	6,949				6,949
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(13,840)				(13,840)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	1,495,339			1,495,339
Purchases of treasury stock	(575,039)					(575,039)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	11,338,135	2,358	3,425,810	10,093,892	(230,580)	(1,953,345)
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 Jun. 30, 2018	10,773,698	2,358	3,397,561	9,429,784	(265,200)	(1,790,805)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	28,249	0	28,249
Common stock dividends	(146,283)			(146,283)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	36,946				36,946
Change in defined benefit plans	1,153				1,153
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,479)				(3,479)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	810,391			810,391
Purchases of treasury stock	(162,540)					(162,540)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	11,338,135	2,358	3,425,810	10,093,892	(230,580)	(1,953,345)
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	40,584	7	45,741			(5,164)
Common stock dividends	(456,260)			(456,260)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(288,115)				(288,115)
Change in defined benefit plans	(22,831)				(22,831)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7,683)				(7,683)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	1,605,751			1,605,751
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	11,976,907	2,365	3,466,641	11,412,773	(946,363)	(1,958,509)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019	11,538,403	2,364	3,454,831	10,692,890	(653,173)	(1,958,509)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	11,811	1	11,810
Common stock dividends	(163,357)			(163,357)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(265,224)				(265,224)
Change in defined benefit plans	(12,456)				(12,456)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(15,510)				(15,510)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	883,240			883,240
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 11,976,907	$ 2,365	$ 3,466,641	$ 11,412,773	$ (946,363)	$ (1,958,509)