CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Paid-in Capital Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 5,085,556	$ (161,420)	$ 2,827	$ 7,557,297	$ (307,640)	$ 302,276	$ 146,220	$ (710,885)	$ (2,065,959)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	5,323		4	5,282		37
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	111,408							111,408
Change in defined benefit plans	27,765							27,765
Foreign currency translation adjustments	20,460							20,460
Purchase of treasury stock	(2,270)								(2,270)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,688,724)					(1,688,724)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022	3,398,098		2,831	7,254,939		(1,240,191)		(551,252)	(2,068,229)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2022	3,988,928		2,830	7,267,545		(718,609)		(494,609)	(2,068,229)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	(12,605)		1	(12,606)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(84,493)							(84,493)
Change in defined benefit plans	15,168							15,168
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,682							12,682
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(521,582)					(521,582)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022	3,398,098		2,831	7,254,939		(1,240,191)		(551,252)	(2,068,229)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	2,868,812		2,832	7,284,852		(1,707,429)		(643,214)	(2,068,229)	$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	64,491		8	64,483
Convertible notes settlement	12,189		4	12,185
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(26,709)							(26,709)
Change in defined benefit plans	(272)							(272)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(9,809)							(9,809)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,203)								(1,203)
Sale of noncontrolling interest	219,101			45,298						173,803
Noncontrolling interest	3,631									3,631
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	410,851					410,851
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	3,541,082		2,844	7,406,818		(1,296,578)		(680,004)	(2,069,432)	177,434
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2023	3,025,421		2,840	7,351,493		(1,755,339)		(677,944)	(2,069,432)	173,803
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	43,140		0	43,140
Convertible notes settlement	12,189		4	12,185
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	4,988							4,988
Change in defined benefit plans	(3,785)							(3,785)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,263)							(3,263)
Noncontrolling interest	3,631									3,631
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	458,761					458,761
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 3,541,082		$ 2,844	$ 7,406,818		$ (1,296,578)		$ (680,004)	$ (2,069,432)	$ 177,434