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 Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Holiday
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn EncoreAustralia, Asia & the Mediterranean : Barcelona to Sydney
Destination: World
Ship: Viking VenusAsia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
From $26,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaRevered Pagodas - Singapore Singapore to Taipei (Keelung) Taiwan China
From $9,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: InsigniaImmersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia - 14-nights
From $6,120.00 (USD)
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.116-Day World Cruise
From $14,309.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Magnifica58 Days - Sydney To Southampton - Sydney to Southampton aboard Queen Anne
From $7,819.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen AnneBali (Benoa) Indonesia to Bangkok Thailand on Seven Seas Navigator
From $16,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator14-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn Encore90 Days - San Francisco To New York - San Francisco to New York aboard Queen Mary 2
From $13,799.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 2Singapore Singapore to Hong Kong China on Seven Seas Explorer
From $18,999.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas Explorer109 Days - Full World Voyage - Southampton to Southampton aboard Queen Anne
From $15,749.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne6 Days - Hong Kong To Singapore - Hong Kong to Singapore aboard Queen Mary 2
From $1,099.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Mary 2DA260106140 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Lisbon
Destination: World
Ship: Silver DawnGrand Pacific Hemispheres - Los Angeles California to Auckland New Zealand
From $15,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaGrand Pacific Explorer : Auckland to Vancouver, British Columbia
Destination: World
Ship: Viking OrionExotic Southern Realms - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Cape Town South Africa
From $25,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaEpic Continental Explorer - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Barcelona Spain
From $40,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaDubai UAE to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Voyager
From $20,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas VoyagerViking World Cruise : Fort Lauderdale, Florida to London (Greenwich)
Destination: World
Ship: Viking SkyColonial Crowns - Cape Town South Africa to Singapore Singapore
From $9,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: RivieraGlobal Horizons - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
From $55,499.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Insignia46-Day World Cruise
From $5,799.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC MagnificaMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $101,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerDown Under To Indonesia - Sydney Australia to Singapore Singapore
From $6,999.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RegattaBangkok, Bali & Beyond : Bali (Benoa) to Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Viking Orion118-Day World Cruise
From $15,799.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Magnifica
Tours
Kingdoms & Dragons: Singapore to Bali
From $12,790.00 (USD)
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
From $11,390.00 (USD)
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 ...
GLOBUS 2024: Independent Singapore City Stay (IAS1)
From $1,499.00 (USD)
What's the best way to see one of the world's great melting pots? An Independence by Globus vacation, of course!