CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
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)
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
Common stock dividends	(456,260)			(456,260)
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			0
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
Common stock dividends	(163,357)			(163,357)
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 Dec. 31, 2019	12,163,846	2,365	3,493,959	11,523,326	(797,713)	(2,058,091)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	11,894	8	11,886
Silversea acquisition	608,876	52	608,824
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(110,139)				(110,139)
Change in defined benefit plans	(16,953)				(16,953)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	55,698				55,698
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(4,430,527)			(4,430,527)
Equity component of convertible notes, net of issuance costs	208,988		208,988
Common stock dividends	(163,089)			(163,089)
Purchases of treasury stock	0		5,900			(5,900)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	8,328,594	2,425	4,329,557	6,929,710	(869,107)	(2,063,991)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2020	8,963,905	2,372	3,700,288	8,276,463	(951,227)	(2,063,991)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	20,446	1	20,445
Silversea acquisition	608,876	52	608,824
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	66,135				66,135
Change in defined benefit plans	(3,086)				(3,086)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19,074			3	19,071
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,346,756)			(1,346,756)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 8,328,594	$ 2,425	$ 4,329,557	$ 6,929,710	$ (869,107)	$ (2,063,991)