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
98 Days - New York To Southampton - New York to Southampton aboard Queen Anne
From $16,837.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne108 Days - Full World Voyage - Southampton to Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2
From $18,739.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 2118-Day World Cruise
From $16,956.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC Magnifica116-Day World Cruise
From $14,789.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC MagnificaBarcelona Spain to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Navigator
From $42,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator12 Nights Bali, Malaysia & Thailand From Singapore - Onboard Celebrity Millennium
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Celebrity MillenniumBangkok Thailand to Doha Qatar on Seven Seas Navigator
From $11,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator3 Night Penang Cruise
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Ovation of the Seas53 Days - World Cruise Liner - Brisbane To London (Dover) - Brisbane to Dover (For London) aboard Cr
From $9,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Crown PrincessMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $98,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner59 Days - World Cruise Liner - Auckland To London (Dover) - Auckland to Dover (For London) aboard Cr
From $10,419.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Crown PrincessTokyo Japan to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Explorer
From $39,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Explorer14 Days - Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam - Singapore to Singapore aboard Diamond Princess
From $2,038.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Diamond Princess14-Day Far East Discovery
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: NoordamMiami Florida to Rome (Civitavecchia) Italy on Seven Seas Splendor
From $84,299.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Splendor11-Day Cruise to Asia: Thailand, Philippines & Vietnam from Singapore, Singapore
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Norwegian Sky114 Days - World Cruise - Roundtrip Auckland - Auckland to Auckland aboard Crown Princess
From $17,969.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Crown Princess
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 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!
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 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!