Debt instrument maturity period.

No definition available.

Name:	rcl_DebtInstrumentMaturityPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate investments in an entity accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This investment is the sum of loans made to the entity and the amount of equity investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_EquityAndLoansDueFromEquityMethodInvestee
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of aircraft operated.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_NumberOfAircraft
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of the contract price of the ship which the bank has committed to finance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_PercentageOfBankCommittedFinancing
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage which the reporting entity agreed to guarantee for repayment of a loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyGuarantorObligationPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the minimum ownership percentage which the reporting entity needs to maintain of the related party in order to remain compliant with a related construction and credit agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionConstructionAgreementCovenantOwnershipPercentageMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount outstanding under a credit facility provided by the reporting entity to a related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionLineOfCreditBorrowingOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the maximum borrowing capacity provided to a related party under a line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionLineOfCreditFacilityProvided
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the interest rate stated in a contractual debt agreement with a related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionLineOfCreditStatedInterestRatePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the term of a loan provided to a related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rcl_RelatedPartyTransactionLoanTerm
Namespace Prefix:	rcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible foreign operating loss carryforwards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6969291&loc=d3e28680-109314

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 43, 289

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, the carrying value as of the balance sheet date of notes payable to banks, excluding mortgage notes, initially due beyond one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from the collection of money previously advanced to an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

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Goodwill and Other Assets (Details)	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Assets (Details)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Pullmantur Air item	Sep. 30, 2012 Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd. USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 TUI Cruises GmbH joint venture USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 TUI Cruises GmbH joint venture EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2011 TUI Cruises GmbH joint venture USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 TUI Cruises GmbH joint venture EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2012 Pullmantur USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Pullmantur EUR (€)
Goodwill and Other Assets
Deferred tax assets									$ 32,700,000	€ 25,400,000
Percentage of ownership interest			40.00%		50.00%	50.00%
Principal and Interest payments received from Grand Bahama (VIE)	23,512,000		5,100,000
Non controlling interest percentage		49.00%
Number of aircrafts		4
Investments in entity			59,300,000	61,400,000	273,300,000		282,000,000
Line of credit provided to TUI Cruises								90,000,000
Amount outstanding under line of credit provided to TUI Cruises					88,200,000	68,600,000
Interest rate on line of credit provided to TUI Cruises (as a percent)					9.54%	9.54%
Term of loan provided to TUI Cruises					7 years	7 years
Debt, guaranteed percentage					50.00%	50.00%
Bank loan						180,000,000
Bank loan term					5 years	5 years
Amount outstanding on bank loan					$ 203,000,000	€ 157,500,000
Bank financing commitment percentage					80.00%	80.00%
Reduction of current ownership interest (as a percent)					37.50%	37.50%