Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives - Derivatives measured at fair value and disclosed by balance sheet location (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives - Derivatives measured at fair value and disclosed by balance sheet location (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value   $ 27,471us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Derivative liabilities, fair value 247,577us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability 19,478us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel Swaps | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value    5,024us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Derivative liabilities, fair value    666us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel Swaps | Other long-term assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value    6,869us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Derivative liabilities, fair value    9us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel Swaps | Accrued expenses and other liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value 111,304us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
  
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel Swaps | Other long-term liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value 190us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
  
Derivative liabilities, fair value 77,250us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
  
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel Collars | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value    452us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelCollarsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Derivative liabilities, fair value    195us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelCollarsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency options | Accrued expenses and other liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value    9,815us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value    2,624us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Derivative liabilities, fair value      
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts | Accrued expenses and other liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value 29,498us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
6,582us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts | Other long-term liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value 118us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
  
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency collar | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value    12,502us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_ForeignCurrencyCollarMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Derivative liabilities, fair value      
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rates swaps | Accrued expenses and other liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value 5,736us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
1,707us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rates swaps | Other long-term liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value 3,104us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
1,374us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel Options | Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value    195us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_FuelOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency collar | Other long-term assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value 16,744us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nclh_ForeignCurrencyCollarMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
  
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rates swaps | Accrued expenses and other liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative assets, fair value      
Derivative liabilities, fair value $ 3,823us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= nclh_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember