Property and equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Ships	$ 19,958,127	$ 19,536,283
Ship improvements	976,363	918,681
Ships under construction	227,123	253,198
Land, buildings and improvements, including leasehold improvements and port facilities	360,399	314,044
Computer hardware and software, transportation equipment and other	748,102	607,715
Total property and equipment	22,270,114	21,629,921
Less-accumulated depreciation and amortization	(5,335,297)	(4,858,244)
Property and equipment, net	$ 16,934,817	$ 16,771,677

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

+ References+ Details

Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References+ Details