CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Passenger ticket revenues	$ 5,594,595	$ 5,525,904	$ 4,908,644
Onboard and other revenues	2,093,429	2,011,359	1,843,860
Total revenues	7,688,024	7,537,263	6,752,504
Cruise operating expenses:
Commissions, transportation and other	1,289,255	1,299,713	1,175,522
Onboard and other	529,453	535,501	480,564
Payroll and related	828,198	825,676	767,586
Food	449,649	424,308	388,205
Fuel	909,691	764,758	646,998
Other operating	1,151,188	1,092,651	999,201
Total cruise operating expenses	5,157,434	4,942,607	4,458,076
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses	1,011,543	960,602	848,079
Depreciation and amortization expenses	730,493	702,426	643,716
Impairment of Pullmantur related assets	385,444
Costs and Expenses, Total	7,284,914	6,605,635	5,949,871
Operating Income	403,110	931,628	802,633
Other income (expense):
Interest income	21,331	25,318	9,243
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(355,785)	(382,416)	(371,207)
Extinguishment of unsecured senior notes	(7,501)
Other (expense) income (including in 2012 $28.5 million net deferred tax expense related to the Pullmantur impairment)	(42,868)	32,891	74,984
Total other income (expense)	(384,823)	(324,207)	(286,980)
Net Income	18,287	607,421	515,653
Basic Earnings per Share:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 2.80	$ 2.40
Diluted Earnings per Share:
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 2.77	$ 2.37
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net Income	18,287	607,421	515,653
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,764)	(18,200)	(29,065)
Change in defined benefit plans	(4,567)	(6,698)	(5,422)
Loss on cash flow derivative hedges	(51,247)	(76,106)	(123,180)
Total other comprehensive loss	(58,578)	(101,004)	(157,667)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income	$ (40,291)	$ 506,417	$ 357,986