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
Global Horizons - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
From $55,499.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Insignia14-Day Far East Discovery
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: WesterdamAustralasia Unleashed - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
From $11,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaJewels Of Alaska & Asia - Los Angeles California to Singapore Singapore
From $10,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaEast Asian Reflections - Tokyo (Yokohama) Japan to Singapore Singapore
From $6,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RegattaWH250107014 - Singapore to Hong Kong
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Silver WhisperMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $96,599.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerSydney Australia to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Explorer
From $23,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $101,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerWH250426018 - Singapore to Mumbai
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Silver WhisperGrand Pacific Explorer : Auckland to Vancouver, British Columbia
Destination: World
Ship: Viking OrionBali (Benoa) Indonesia to Bangkok Thailand on Seven Seas Navigator
From $16,399.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas NavigatorDubai UAE to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Voyager
From $20,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas VoyagerPalms & Pagodas - Singapore Singapore to Hong Kong China
From $5,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraSM250306016 - Singapore to Tokyo
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Silver Muse14-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn EncoreDA260106140 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Lisbon
Destination: World
Ship: Silver DawnMiami Florida to San Francisco California on Seven Seas Mariner
From $90,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner14-Day Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Holiday
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn EncoreRevered Pagodas - Singapore Singapore to Taipei (Keelung) Taiwan China
From $9,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: InsigniaTropics Of The Far East - Tokyo Japan to Singapore Singapore
From $9,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraSingapore Singapore to Cape Town South Africa on Seven Seas Mariner
From $27,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerDown Under To Indonesia - Sydney Australia to Singapore Singapore
From $7,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RegattaAsia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
From $26,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaBangkok, Bali & Beyond : Bali (Benoa) to Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Viking Orion17-Day Cruise to Asia: Maldives, Thailand & Seychelles from Port Louis, Mauritius
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Norwegian SkyEpic Continental Explorer - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Barcelona Spain
From $40,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Nautica
Tours
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 ...
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 ...
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!