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	11,894	8	11,886
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
Purchases of treasury stock	0		5,900			(5,900)
Net loss 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
Acquisition of Silversea non-controlling interest	608,876	52	608,824
Common stock dividends	(163,089)			(163,089)
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
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 loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,346,756)			(1,346,756)
Acquisition of Silversea non-controlling interest	608,876	52	608,824
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 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	52,804	5	52,799
Common stock issuance	1,496,007	170	1,495,837
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	48,514				48,514
Change in defined benefit plans	3,748				3,748
Foreign currency translation adjustments	11,255				11,255
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,968)					(1,968)
Net loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(3,903,531)			(3,903,531)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	6,467,498	2,827	7,547,210	1,659,244	(675,824)	(2,065,959)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2021	7,884,015	2,826	7,527,305	3,083,798	(663,955)	(2,065,959)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	20,046	1	20,045
Common stock issuance	(140)		(140)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(13,264)				(13,264)
Change in defined benefit plans	(3,627)				(3,627)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,022				5,022
Net loss attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,424,554)			(1,424,554)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 6,467,498	$ 2,827	$ 7,547,210	$ 1,659,244	$ (675,824)	$ (2,065,959)