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
4 Night Penang & Phuket Cruise
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Ovation of the SeasGlobal Wanderlust - San Diego California to Miami Florida
From $42,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: VistaSouthern Seas Navigator - Hong Kong China to Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia
From $18,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraBeyond The Bering Strait - Singapore Singapore to Seattle Washington
From $10,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraWorld Odyssey - Los Angeles California to Miami Florida
From $63,099.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: VistaJade Seas Journey - Singapore Singapore to Tokyo Japan
From $5,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraAncient Spice Routes - Singapore Singapore to Dubai UAE
From $7,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: VistaTreasured Temples Of Asia - Bali (Benoa) Indonesia to Hong Kong China
From $4,930.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Sirena11 Nights Bali, Malaysia & Thailand From Singapore, Singapore - onboard Celebrity Millennium
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Celebrity MillenniumAstonishing Africa & Asia - Lisbon Portugal to Bangkok Thailand
From $20,099.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: SirenaAround The World In 180 Days - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
From $58,099.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Vista12 Nights Thailand & Vietnam From Singapore, Singapore - Onboard Celebrity Solstice
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Celebrity SolsticeLands Of Buddha - Hong Kong China to Bangkok Thailand
From $4,250.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Sirena110 Nights Grand Voyage Sailing From Vancouver, British Columbia - Onboard Celebrity Solstice
Destination: World
Ship: Celebrity SolsticeOpulent Asia To Outback - Tokyo (Yokohama) Japan to Sydney Australia
From $15,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Riviera43 Days - Singapore To Los Angeles - Singapore to Los Angeles aboard Queen Anne
From $7,229.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Anne26-Day Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn Encore131 Days - Circle Pacific - Ft. Lauderdale To Los Angeles - Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles aboard Co
From $32,544.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Coral Princess90 Days - San Francisco To New York - San Francisco to New York aboard Queen Mary 2
From $14,409.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 299 Days - Southampton To Miami - Southampton to Miami aboard Queen Anne
From $14,619.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne14-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn Encore13-Day Cruise to Asia: Thailand & Philippines from Singapore, Singapore
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Norwegian JadeBali (Benoa) Indonesia to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Mariner
From $14,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner42 Days - Southampton To Singapore - Southampton to Singapore aboard Queen Anne
From $5,859.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne79 Days - Circle Pacific (Roundtrip Sydney) - Sydney to Sydney aboard Grand Princess
From $10,617.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Grand Princess3 Night Penang Cruise
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Ovation of the Seas22 Days - Cape Town To Singapore - Cape Town to Singapore aboard Queen Anne
From $3,779.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: Queen Anne28 Days - Circle Japan Fall Foliage & Southeast Asia - Tokyo (Yokohama) to Singapore aboard Diamond
From $4,099.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Diamond Princess
Tours
Kingdoms & Dragons: Singapore to Bali
From $12,990.00 (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 $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 ...