CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 11,105,461	$ 2,358	$ 3,420,900	$ 10,263,282	$ (627,734)	$ (1,953,345)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	11,525	6	11,519
Common stock dividends	(146,351)			(146,351)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	48,843				48,843
Change in defined benefit plans	(653)				(653)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	564				564
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	249,681			249,681
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	11,269,070	2,364	3,432,419	10,366,612	(578,980)	(1,953,345)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	12,163,846	2,365	3,493,959	11,523,326	(797,713)	(2,058,091)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Activity related to employee stock plans	(20,699)	7	(20,706)
Common stock dividends	(163,089)			(163,089)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges	(300,605)				(300,605)
Change in defined benefit plans	(7,589)				(7,589)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	10,290				10,290
Purchases of treasury stock	(5,900)					(5,900)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.	(1,444,479)			(1,444,479)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 10,231,775	$ 2,372	$ 3,473,253	$ 9,915,758	$ (1,095,617)	$ (2,063,991)