CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 10,702,303	$ (23,476)	$ 2,352	$ 3,390,117	$ 9,022,405	$ (23,476)	$ (334,265)	$ (1,378,306)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Activity related to employee stock plans	30,789		6	30,783
Common stock dividends	(546,689)				(546,689)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(286,861)						(286,861)
Change in defined benefit plans	7,643						7,643
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(14,251)						(14,251)
Purchases of treasury stock	(575,039)							(575,039)
Net (Loss) Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	1,811,042				1,811,042
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
Activity related to employee stock plans	67,902		7	73,059				(5,164)
Common stock dividends	(618,843)				(618,843)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(151,313)						(151,313)
Change in defined benefit plans	(19,535)						(19,535)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	869						869
Purchases of treasury stock	(99,582)							(99,582)
Net (Loss) Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	1,878,887				1,878,887
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
Activity related to employee stock plans	29,759		9	29,750
Common stock issuance	1,552,726		226	1,552,500
Common stock dividends	(163,089)				(163,089)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	38,010						38,010
Change in defined benefit plans	(19,984)						(19,984)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	40,346						40,346
Purchases of treasury stock	0			5,900				(5,900)
Net (Loss) Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(5,797,462)				(5,797,462)
Equity component of convertible notes, net of issuance costs	307,640			307,640
Acquisition of Silversea non-controlling interest	608,877		52	608,825
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 8,760,669		$ 2,652	$ 5,998,574	$ 5,562,775		$ (739,341)	$ (2,063,991)