General	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
General
General	Note 1. *General* Description of Business We are a global cruise company. We own Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisières de France and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises. Together, these six brands operate a combined 41 ships as of December 31, 2012. Our ships operate on a selection of worldwide itineraries that call on approximately 455 destinations on all seven continents. Basis for Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Estimates are required for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with these principles. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate entities over which we have control, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest of greater than 50%, and variable interest entities where we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. See Note 6. Other Assets for further information regarding our variable interest entities. For affiliates we do not control but over which we have significant influence on financial and operating policies, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest from 20% to 50%, the investment is accounted for using the equity method. We consolidate the operating results of Pullmantur and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CDF Croisières de France, on a two-month lag to allow for more timely preparation of our consolidated financial statements. No material events or transactions affecting Pullmantur or CDF Croisières de France have occurred during the two-month lag period of November 2012 and December 2012 that would require disclosure or adjustment to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012, except for the impairment of Pullmantur related assets, as described in Note 3. Goodwill, Note 4. Intangible Assets, Note 5. Property and Equipment and Note 12. Income Taxes.

General

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Note 1. General

Description of Business

We are a global cruise company. We own Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisières de France and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises. Together, these six brands operate a combined 41 ships as of December 31, 2012. Our ships operate on a selection of worldwide itineraries that call on approximately 455 destinations on all seven continents.

Basis for Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Estimates are required for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with these principles. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate entities over which we have control, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest of greater than 50%, and variable interest entities where we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. See Note 6. Other Assets for further information regarding our variable interest entities. For affiliates we do not control but over which we have significant influence on financial and operating policies, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest from 20% to 50%, the investment is accounted for using the equity method. We consolidate the operating results of Pullmantur and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CDF Croisières de France, on a two-month lag to allow for more timely preparation of our consolidated financial statements. No material events or transactions affecting Pullmantur or CDF Croisières de France have occurred during the two-month lag period of November 2012 and December 2012 that would require disclosure or adjustment to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012, except for the impairment of Pullmantur related assets, as described in Note 3. Goodwill, Note 4. Intangible Assets, Note 5. Property and Equipment and Note 12. Income Taxes.