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
13 Days - Singapore to Dubai - Singapore to Dubai aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 221 Days - Dubai to Hong Kong - Dubai to Hong Kong aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: Africa
Ship: Queen Mary 223 Days - Singapore to Sydney - Singapore to Sydney aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Mary 225-Day Gems of the Spice Route
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn Ovation111 Days - World Cruise - Roundtrip Los Angeles - Los Angeles to Los Angeles aboard Island Princess
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess105 Days - The Centenary World Voyages - Hamburg to Hamburg aboard Queen Victoria
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Victoria97 Days - World Cruise - Los Angeles To Ft. Lauderdale - Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale aboard Islan
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess50 Days - World Cruise Liner - Brisbane To London (Dover) - Brisbane to London (Dover) aboard Coral
Destination: World
Ship: Coral Princess22 Days - Sydney to Singapore - Sydney to Singapore aboard Queen Victoria
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Victoria107 Days - World Cruise - Roundtrip Sydney - Sydney to Sydney aboard Coral Princess
Destination: World
Ship: Coral Princess41 Days - Dubai to Fremantle - Dubai to Fremantle aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 226 Days - World Cruise Segment - Sydney To Dubai - Sydney to Dubai aboard Island Princess
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess107 Days - World Cruise Roundtrip Brisbane - Brisbane to Brisbane aboard Coral Princess
Destination: World
Ship: Coral Princess39 Days - Singapore to Singapore - Singapore to Singapore aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 28 Days - Fremantle to Singapore - Fremantle to Singapore aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Mary 27 Days - Singapore to Fremantle - Singapore to Fremantle aboard Queen Elizabeth
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Elizabeth8 Days - Singapore to Hong Kong - Singapore to Hong Kong aboard Queen Elizabeth
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Elizabeth52 Days - World Cruise Liner - South Pacific & Indian Ocean - Los Angeles to Dubai aboard Island Pri
Destination: World
Ship: Island Princess37 Days - Hong Kong to Southampton - Hong Kong to Southampton aboard Queen Victoria
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Victoria62 Days - Dubai to Dubai - Dubai to Dubai aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 239 Days - Hong Kong to Southampton - Hong Kong to Southampton aboard Queen Victoria
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Victoria33 Days - Sydney to Dubai - Sydney to Dubai aboard Queen Victoria
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Victoria112 Days - World Voyage - Hamburg to Hamburg aboard Queen Victoria
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Victoria24 Days - Singapore to Sydney - Singapore to Sydney aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Mary 221 Days - Fremantle to Dubai - Fremantle to Dubai aboard Queen Mary 2
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 216 Days - Singapore to Tokyo - Singapore to Yokohama aboard Queen Elizabeth
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Elizabeth65-Day World Cruise
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Poesia
Tours
2021: Singapore (IAS)
What's the best way to see one of the world's great melting pots? A Monograms vacation, of course! With Monograms, seeing Singapore is simple, not stressful.
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 ...
Singapore Explorer
Tour Type: Mini StayBrochure Type: Asia 2021The opulence, glamour and eclectic culture of Singapore are unveiled on this stylish stopover in a city which effortlessly mixes a myriad of influences to create a cultural surprise around every corner.