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
Asian Temples & Tropics - Hong Kong China to Singapore Singapore
From $14,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraKingdoms Of East Asia - Singapore Singapore to Kyoto (Kobe) Japan
From $10,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaHorizons Of Marco Polo - Mumbai India to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand
From $11,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraConstellation Of Islands - Singapore Singapore to Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia
From $9,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaIndian Ocean Treasures - Singapore Singapore to Cape Town South Africa
From $12,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: NauticaSpectacular Silk Road - Barcelona Spain to Singapore Singapore
From $9,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaSilk Road Splendors - Dubai UAE to Singapore Singapore
From $9,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraKaleidoscope Of Your World - Miami Florida to New York New York
From $55,399.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: InsigniaGlobal Horizons - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
From $55,399.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Insignia13 Nights Australia From Singapore, Singapore - Onboard Celebrity Solstice
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Celebrity SolsticeSouthern Oceans Splendor - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Cape Town South Africa
From $26,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaTale Of Three Continents - Miami Florida to Singapore Singapore
From $19,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: InsigniaFar Eastern Jade - Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand to Tokyo (Yokohama) Japan
From $13,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraSublime Southeast Asia - Mumbai India to Singapore Singapore
From $7,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraOutback Overture - Sydney Australia to Singapore Singapore
From $6,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: NauticaDazzling Cultural Array - Singapore Singapore to Barcelona Spain
From $11,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraSoutheast Asian Sojourn - Singapore Singapore to Hong Kong China
From $6,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraGrand Pacific Hemispheres - Los Angeles California to Auckland New Zealand
From $15,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaEpic Eastern Explorer - Mumbai India to Tokyo (Yokohama) Japan
From $29,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraAustralasia Unleashed - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
From $11,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaAsia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
From $26,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaAround The World In 180 Days - Miami Florida to San Diego California
From $49,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: InsigniaMemories Of Marco Polo - Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirate to Hong Kong China
From $11,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraEmirates & Empires - Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirate to Tokyo Japan
From $17,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraExotic Extravaganza - Dubai UAE to Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia
From $10,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaRadiant Pacific Reefs - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Singapore Singapore
From $12,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaIntriguing Indian Ocean - Cape Town South Africa to Singapore Singapore
From $11,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: InsigniaOceania To Indonesia - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
From $7,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Nautica
Tours
GLOBUS 2023: Independent Southeast Asia: From Hanoi to Singapore (IAH3)
From $4,159.00 (USD)
Sample the best of Southeast Asia on this fascinating journey with Independence by Globus. You'll begin in Hanoi, Vietnam, with guided sightseeing and a cyclo ride through the ancient Old Quarter where merchants trade as they have for centuries.
GLOBUS 2024: Independent Singapore City Stay (IAS1)
From $1,429.00 (USD)
What's the best way to see one of the world's great melting pots? An Independence by Globus vacation, of course!