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	(8,552)	7	(8,559)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(176,274)				(176,274)
Change in defined benefit plans	(13,867)				(13,867)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	36,624			(3)	36,627
Purchases of treasury stock	0		5,900			(5,900)
Net loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(3,083,771)			(3,083,771)
Equity component of convertible notes, net of issuance costs	208,988		208,988
Common stock dividends	(163,089)			(163,089)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	8,963,905	2,372	3,700,288	8,276,463	(951,227)	(2,063,991)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	10,231,775	2,372	3,473,253	9,915,758	(1,095,617)	(2,063,991)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	18,047		18,047
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	124,331				124,331
Change in defined benefit plans	(6,278)				(6,278)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	26,334			(3)	26,337
Net loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,639,292)			(1,639,292)
Equity component of convertible notes, net of issuance costs	208,988		208,988
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	8,963,905	2,372	3,700,288	8,276,463	(951,227)	(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	32,758	4	32,754
Common stock issuance	1,496,147	170	1,495,977
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	61,778				61,778
Change in defined benefit plans	7,375				7,375
Foreign currency translation adjustments	6,233				6,233
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,968)					(1,968)
Net loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(2,478,977)			(2,478,977)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021	7,884,015	2,826	7,527,305	3,083,798	(663,955)	(2,065,959)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2021	9,172,382	2,824	7,513,318	4,431,053	(708,854)	(2,065,959)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	14,118	2	14,116
Common stock issuance	(129)		(129)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	51,476				51,476
Change in defined benefit plans	(3,088)				(3,088)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,489)				(3,489)
Net loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,347,255)			(1,347,255)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 7,884,015	$ 2,826	$ 7,527,305	$ 3,083,798	$ (663,955)	$ (2,065,959)