Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-11884
Entity Registrant Name	ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	N0
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0081645
Entity Address, Address Line One	1050 Caribbean Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Miami
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33132
City Area Code	305
Local Phone Number	539-6000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	RCL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		214,667,937
Entity Central Index Key	0000884887
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2