Behind the high-tech industries and high-rise buildings lives a society with an ingrained sense of conservative Confucian values. Beneath a slick veneer of westernized modernity beats a totally Asian heart. Strong beliefs center around extended families, filial piety, discipline, respect and Asian work ethics.
Singapore's name, meaning 'Lion City,' can be traced to the 13th century when, according to legend, the ruler of Palembang sought shelter on the island during a storm and thought he saw a lion. Today there is the mythical Merlion, half-lion, half-fish, standing guard at the mouth of the Singapore River as the grotesque saturnine symbol of Singapore.
Modern Singapore primarily owes its existence and its prosperity to two men, both of them forceful characters and visionaries: Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles and Lee Kuan Yew. Upon Raffles' arrival in 1819, he found a population of about 150, mostly pirates and fishermen, and a land blanketed in dense jungle. Within four years of its founding, Singapore grew into an international trading port. Raffles' influence in determining the direction of what is today one of the world's busiest port cities was invaluable, while Lee Kuan Yew is without doubt the Father of Modern Singapore.
This modern, thriving metropolis of three million people is one of the most densely populated places in the world. An enormous retail outlet, it is also the trade, transport, business and financial hub of the region. The reputation Singapore has for law and order is well deserved. A recent advertising campaign billed Singapore as 'A Fine City.' The double meaning may well reflect the fact that Singapore imposes harsh punishment on locals and visitors alike for violations of the law.
Singapore is a melting pot of nationalities; the majority of the population is of Chinese extraction, followed by Malay, Indian and a small Eurasian population. Officially, Malay is the national language, but English is the language of administration and commerce.
Please Note: Guests participating in Silversea's Pre- or Post-Cruise Program may check with the Silversea Hospitality Desk at the hotel for sightseeing, dining and shopping opportunities during their stay in Singapore. Guests continuing to the next cruise may check with the Tour Desk for additional sightseeing options.
Cruises
14-Day Far East Discovery
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Westerdam116 Days - World Cruise - Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale aboard Islan
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess66 Days - Wc Liner - Panama Canal, South Pacific & Indian Ocean - Fort Lauderdale to Dubai aboard Is
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess46-Day World Cruise
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Magnifica108 Days - Full World Voyage - Southampton to Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 259 Days - World Cruise Liner - Auckland To London (Dover) - Auckland to London (Dover) aboard Crown
Destination: World
Ship: Crown Princess118-Day World Cruise
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Magnifica60 Days - World Cruise Liner - Auckland To London (Dover) - Auckland to London (Dover) aboard Crown
Destination: World
Ship: Crown Princess14-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Holiday
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn Encore25 Days - World Cruise Segment - Sydney To Dubai - Sydney to Dubai aboard Island Princess
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess114 Days - World Cruise - Roundtrip Auckland - Auckland to Auckland aboard Crown Princess
Destination: World
Ship: Crown Princess116-Day World Cruise
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Magnifica90 Days - San Francisco To New York - San Francisco to New York aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 26 Days - Hong Kong To Singapore - Hong Kong to Singapore aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Mary 2116 Days - Full World Voyage - Hamburg to Hamburg aboard Queen Anne
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne19 Days - Hong Kong To Dubai - Hong Kong to Dubai aboard Queen Anne
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne15-Day Singapore from Sydney, Australia
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Carnival Splendor14-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn Encore109 Days - Full World Voyage - Southampton to Southampton aboard Queen Anne
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne58 Days - Sydney To Southampton - Sydney to Southampton aboard Queen Anne
Destination: World
Ship: Queen AnnePalms & Pagodas - Singapore Singapore to Hong Kong China
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraBangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand to Bali (Benoa) Indonesia on Seven Seas Explorer
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerImmersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia - 14-nights
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: m/s Paul Gauguin
Set sail from Singapore to discover Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty.Global Horizons - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
Destination: World
Ship: InsigniaRevered Pagodas - Singapore Singapore to Taipei (Keelung) Taiwan China
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: InsigniaAustralasia Unleashed - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Regatta
Tours
GLOBUS 2024: Alluring Vietnam & the Temples of Angkor with Bangkok & Singapore (OHE3)
What's the most important thing to bring on a journey to Vietnam and Cambodia? Your bargaining skills!
GLOBUS 2025: Independent Singapore City Stay (IAS1)
What's the best way to see one of the world's great melting pots? An Independence by Globus vacation, of course!
Kingdoms & Dragons: Singapore to Bali
Explore the past, present and future on an unforgettable journey in a tropical paradise, steeped in culture and nature as you stroll through gardens of tomorrow in Singapore, explore ancient kingdoms in Java, visit flower-filled temples on Bali, and ...
Kingdoms & Dragons: Singapore to Bali
Explore the past, present and future on an unforgettable journey in a tropical paradise, steeped in culture and nature as you stroll through gardens of tomorrow in Singapore, explore ancient kingdoms in Java, visit flower-filled temples on Bali, and ...