Segment information - Segment earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 26, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Central costs		$ (8,511)	$ (7,600)	$ (17,911)	$ (15,490)
Share-based compensation		(2,019)	(2,034)	(3,554)	(3,776)
Adjusted EBITDA		46,332	38,107	45,873	46,001
Net (losses)/earnings from continuing operations		(5,064)	8,152	(23,076)	6,784
Depreciation and amortization		15,082	13,331	28,810	26,398
Gain on extinguishment of debt		0	(1,200)	0	(1,200)
Interest income		(196)	(177)	(342)	(293)
Interest expense		7,867	7,676	15,543	15,186
Foreign currency, net		1,007	(4,871)	1,241	(7,729)
Provision for income taxes		2,142	14,335	(3,124)	4,739
Share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies		1,807	1,355	2,053	2,231
EBITDA		22,645	38,601	21,105	46,116
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(150)	(150)	(300)	(300)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		8,216	0	8,216	0
Restructuring and other special item		2,410	(344)	3,099	185
Business acquisition costs		13,211	0	13,753	0
Cap Juluca
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Business acquisition costs	$ 13,753
Hotel
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		42,972	36,887	54,693	52,844
Hotel | Part-owned/managed hotels
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		2,505	1,652	2,764	2,320
Hotel | Europe
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		30,913	26,302	22,793	20,685
Hotel | North America
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		9,650	8,505	19,545	18,568
Hotel | Rest of world
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		2,409	2,080	12,355	13,591
Trains and Cruises
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		4,180	3,614	(53)	795
Trains and Cruises | Part-owned/managed trains
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		7,205	5,588	9,934	9,308
Part owned trains and hotels
Reconciliation from (losses)/earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$ 9,710	$ 7,240	$ 12,698	$ 11,628