Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying our Bermuda statutory rate and reported income tax expense (Detail 1)

v2.4.1.9
Income Taxes - Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying our Bermuda statutory rate and reported income tax expense (Detail 1) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Tax at Bermuda statutory rate         
Foreign income taxes at different rates $ 2,813us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential $ 14,020us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential $ 706us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential
Benefit from global tax platform    [1] (6,074)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits [1]    [1]
Tax contingencies 275us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies 1,394us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies   
Return to provision adjustments (14,444)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlements      
(Benefit) expense from change in tax status (1,462)us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpense 2,462us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpense   
Valuation allowance 10,551us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance      
Income tax expense (benefit) $ (2,267)nclh_IncomeTaxExpensesBenefit $ 11,802nclh_IncomeTaxExpensesBenefit $ 706nclh_IncomeTaxExpensesBenefit
[1] During 2013, we implemented a restructuring plan to provide a global tax platform for international expansion. As part of the plan, the Company became a tax resident of the U.K. As such, it qualifies for relief from U.S. Branch Profits taxes under the U.S.-U.K. Tax Treaty. In addition, the restructuring resulted in additional interest and depreciation which reduced the Company's overall income tax expense.