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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) brand segment $ / shares | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2018 USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Exchange gains (losses) recorded in other income (expense) | $ 57,600 | $ (75,600) | $ 39,800 |
Exposure under foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency collar options, fuel call options, interest rate and fuel swap agreements | $ 5,600 | 212,800 |  |
Number of cruise brands | brand | 4 |  |  |
Number of operating segments | segment | 1 |  |  |
Decrease to customer deposits | $ (1,900,000) | (1,400,000) |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | $ (23,476)
Change in net income | $ 9,200 |  |  |
Change in accounting principle, effect on basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 0.04 |  |  |
Change in accounting principle, effect on diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 0.04 |  |  |
Lower Limit |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest | 20.00% |  |  |
Upper Limit |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest | 50.00% |  |  |
Ships |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, useful life | 30 years |  |  |
Projected residual value | 15.00% |  |  |
Ships | Lower Limit |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Drydock services period | 30 months |  |  |
Ships | Upper Limit |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Drydock services period | 60 months |  |  |
Media advertising |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Advertising costs | $ 255,700 | 233,500 | 240,300 |
Brochure, production and direct mail costs |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Advertising costs | $ 133,400 | $ 126,700 | $ 120,800 |
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |  |  |  | 64,600
Decrease to customer deposits |  |  |  | 64,600
Retained Earnings |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | (23,476)
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | (6,600)
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | (16,900)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | 2,500
Debt | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes |  |  |  | $ 14,400
TUI Cruises |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest | 50.00% |  |  |
Pullmantur |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest | 49.00% |  |  |
SkySea Cruises |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment in a joint venture, percentage of interest | 36.00% |  |  |

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