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, 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	(20,699)	7	(20,706)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(300,605)				(300,605)
Change in defined benefit plans	(7,589)				(7,589)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	10,290				10,290
Purchases of treasury stock	(5,900)					(5,900)
Net Loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,444,479)			(1,444,479)
Common stock dividends	(163,089)			(163,089)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	10,231,775	2,372	3,473,253	9,915,758	(1,095,617)	(2,063,991)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	8,760,669	2,652	5,998,574	5,562,775	(739,341)	(2,063,991)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	18,640	2	18,638
Common stock issuance	1,496,276	170	1,496,106
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	10,302				10,302
Change in defined benefit plans	10,463				10,463
Foreign currency translation adjustments	9,722				9,722
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,968)					(1,968)
Net Loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,131,722)			(1,131,722)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 9,172,382	$ 2,824	$ 7,513,318	$ 4,431,053	$ (708,854)	$ (2,065,959)