Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 Forward Contracts	Mar. 31, 2013 Fleet	Dec. 31, 2012 Fleet	Sep. 30, 2013 Fleet Change in accounting estimate for useful lives and associated residual value	Sep. 30, 2013 Fleet Change in accounting estimate for useful lives and associated residual value	Dec. 31, 2013 Fleet Change in accounting estimate for useful lives and associated residual value	Mar. 31, 2013 Fleet Change in accounting estimate for useful lives and associated residual value item
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number Of Cruise Ships											5
Property plant equipment, useful life						35 years	30 years
Projected residual value (as a percentage)						10.00%	15.00%
Effect of change in accounting estimate on operating income	$ 444,209,000	$ 452,137,000	$ 723,179,000	$ 684,417,000				$ 3,400,000	$ 7,200,000	$ 11,000,000
Effect of change in accounting estimate on net income	365,701,000	367,779,000	466,674,000	411,090,000				3,400,000	7,200,000	11,000,000
Effect of change in accounting estimate on basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.66	$ 1.69	$ 2.13	$ 1.89				$ 0.02	$ 0.03	$ 0.05
Effect of a change in accounting principle on diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.65	$ 1.68	$ 2.11	$ 1.87				$ 0.02	$ 0.03	$ 0.05
Reclassifications
Amount reclassified in the consolidated statement of cash flows from other, net to loss (gain) on derivative instruments not designated as hedges					8,700,000
Onboard and Other revenues
Gross amount of port costs included in passenger ticket revenues	$ 135,800,000	$ 128,800,000	$ 368,500,000	$ 345,700,000