FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Fair Value Measurements (Table) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 107,800	$ 42,846
Restricted cash	12,849	21,163
Ship mortgage notes and premium	511,439	482,275
Other Long-term debt	509,743	487,493
Due to related parties, long term	35,290	57,701
Level 1
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	107,800
Restricted cash	12,849
Ship mortgage notes and premium	511,439
Level 2
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Long-term debt	509,743
Due to related parties, long term	$ 35,290

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

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