CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Total revenues	$ 2,208,805	$ 10,950,661	$ 9,493,849
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	2,765,108	6,062,765	5,262,207
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses	1,199,620	1,559,253	1,303,144
Depreciation and amortization expenses	1,279,254	1,245,942	1,033,697
Impairment and credit losses	1,566,380	0	0
Operating (Loss) Income	(4,601,557)	2,082,701	1,894,801
Other income (expense):
Interest income	21,036	26,945	32,800
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(844,238)	(408,513)	(333,672)
Equity investment (loss) income	(213,286)	230,980	210,756
Other (expense) income	(137,085)	(24,513)	11,107
Total other income (expense)	(1,173,573)	(175,101)	(79,009)
Net (Loss) Income	(5,775,130)	1,907,600	1,815,792
Less: Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	22,332	28,713	4,750
Net (Loss) Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	$ (5,797,462)	$ 1,878,887	$ 1,811,042
(Loss) Earnings per Share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (27.05)	$ 8.97	$ 8.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (27.05)	$ 8.95	$ 8.56
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Net (Loss) Income	$ (5,775,130)	$ 1,907,600	$ 1,815,792
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	40,346	869	(14,251)
Change in defined benefit plans	(19,984)	(19,535)	7,643
Gain (loss) on cash flow derivative hedges	38,010	(151,313)	(286,861)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	58,372	(169,979)	(293,469)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(5,716,758)	1,737,621	1,522,323
Less: Comprehensive Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	22,332	28,713	4,750
Comprehensive (Loss) Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(5,739,090)	1,708,908	1,517,573
Passenger ticket revenues
Total revenues	1,504,569	7,857,057	6,792,716
Onboard and other revenues
Total revenues	704,236	3,093,604	2,701,133
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	157,213	639,782	537,355
Commissions, transportation and other
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	344,625	1,656,297	1,433,739
Payroll and related
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	788,273	1,079,121	924,985
Food
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	161,750	583,905	520,909
Fuel
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	371,015	697,962	710,617
Other operating
Cruise operating expenses:
Total cruise operating expenses	$ 942,232	$ 1,405,698	$ 1,134,602