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
Ancient Empires Of Asia - Tokyo Japan to Bali (Benoa) Indonesia
From $9,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaTreasured Temples Of Asia - Bali (Benoa) Indonesia to Hong Kong China
From $5,220.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: SirenaGilded Eastern Kingdoms - Singapore Singapore to Taipei (Keelung) Taiwan China
From $3,750.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RegattaKingdoms Of East Asia - Singapore Singapore to Kyoto (Kobe) Japan
From $6,600.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Regatta118-Day World Cruise
From $16,956.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC MagnificaIndian Ocean Opus - Cape Town South Africa to Singapore Singapore
From $7,470.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: SirenaKaleidoscope Of Your World - Miami Florida to New York New York
From $54,899.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: InsigniaLagoons To Safari Legends - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Cape Town South Africa
From $16,960.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaAround The World In 180 Days - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
From $58,099.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: VistaPaper Lantern Luminaries - Hong Kong China to Bangkok Thailand
From $3,690.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: RivieraAsia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
From $20,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaGlobal Wanderlust - San Diego California to Miami Florida
From $42,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: VistaThai To Tasman Jewels - Bangkok Thailand to Sydney Australia
From $7,380.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Riviera11-Day Cruise to Asia: Thailand, Philippines & Vietnam from Singapore, Singapore
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Norwegian SkyLands Of Buddha - Hong Kong China to Bangkok Thailand
From $4,500.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: SirenaWorld Odyssey - Los Angeles California to Miami Florida
From $63,099.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Vista116-Day World Cruise
From $14,789.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC MagnificaGlobal Horizons - Miami Florida to Miami Florida
From $54,899.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: InsigniaOceania To Indonesia - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
From $4,560.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: NauticaAround The World In 180 Days - Miami Florida to San Diego California
From $49,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: InsigniaSeductive South Pacific - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Singapore Singapore
From $11,900.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaOpulent Asia To Outback - Tokyo (Yokohama) Japan to Sydney Australia
From $14,310.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RivieraTokyo Japan to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Explorer
From $39,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerBarcelona Spain to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Navigator
From $42,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas NavigatorMiami Florida to Rome (Civitavecchia) Italy on Seven Seas Splendor
From $84,299.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Splendor
Tours
2025: Highlights of Southeast Asia with Singapore (2747)
From $4,079.00 (USD)
With their long histories, interesting cultures, and sprawling landscape, the exciting cities of Southeast Asia offer something for everyone.
GLOBUS 2026: Independent Singapore City Stay (IAS1)
From $1,709.00 (USD)
What's the best way to see one of the world's great melting pots? An Independent Globus vacation, of course!
GLOBUS 2025: Independent Singapore & Bangkok (IAS2)
From $2,529.00 (USD)
What's the best way to see two of the most effervescent cities in the world? An Independent Globus vacation, of course!
GLOBUS 2026: Gems of Indonesia: From Bali to Java with Singapore (OBE)
From $6,279.00 (USD)
Your adventure in begins in Southeast Asia with a spectacular tour of Singapore.
GLOBUS 2026: Independent Singapore & Bangkok (IAS2)
From $2,659.00 (USD)
What's the best way to see two of the most effervescent cities in the world? An Independent Globus vacation, of course!