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
22-Day Southeast Asia Explorer
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seabourn EncoreLands Of Buddha - Hong Kong China to Bangkok Thailand
From $4,250.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Sirena14-Day Cruise to Asia: India, Thailand, Malaysia & Sri Lanka from Singapore, Singapore
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Norwegian Sky6 Days - Hong Kong To Singapore - Hong Kong to Singapore aboard Queen Mary 2
From $1,079.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen Mary 2Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand to Dubai UAE on Seven Seas Voyager
From $15,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas VoyagerAstonishing Africa & Asia - Lisbon Portugal to Bangkok Thailand
From $18,090.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: SirenaMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $99,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner14 Days - Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam - Singapore to Singapore aboard Diamond Princess
From $2,559.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Diamond PrincessSafari & Spice Routes - Cape Town South Africa to Singapore Singapore
From $11,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: SirenaBangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand to Doha Qatar on Seven Seas Navigator
From $11,999.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator27 Days - Cape Town To Hong Kong - Cape Town to Hong Kong aboard Queen Anne
From $4,719.00 (USD)
Destination: Africa
Ship: Queen Anne26 Days - Sydney To Singapore - Sydney to Singapore aboard Queen Victoria
From $5,449.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Queen VictoriaAsia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
From $20,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Regatta67 Days - Sydney To Hamburg - Sydney to Hamburg aboard Queen Victoria
From $12,229.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Victoria39 Days - Hong Kong To Southampton - Hong Kong to Southampton aboard Queen Anne
From $5,259.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Anne46 Days - Hong Kong To Southampton - Hong Kong to Southampton aboard Queen Victoria
From $9,019.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen VictoriaBali (Benoa) Indonesia to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand on Seven Seas Voyager
From $10,899.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas VoyagerImmersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia - 14 Nights
From $7,790.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: m/s Paul Gauguin
Set sail from Singapore to discover Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty.Barcelona Spain to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Navigator
From $45,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas NavigatorOceania To Indonesia - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
From $5,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Nautica3 Night Penang Cruise
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Ovation of the SeasMiami Florida to New York New York on Seven Seas Splendor
From $89,799.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Splendor16 Days - Singapore To Cape Town - Singapore to Cape Town aboard Queen Mary 2
From $2,929.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen Mary 242 Days - Southampton To Singapore - Southampton to Singapore aboard Queen Anne
From $5,859.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Queen AnneIndian Ocean Treasures - Singapore Singapore to Cape Town South Africa
From $11,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Nautica3 Night Penang Cruise
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Ovation of the Seas14-Day Far East Discovery
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Westerdam
Tours
GLOBUS 2026: Independent Singapore & Bali (IAS3)
From $3,099.00 (USD)
What's the best way to see one of the world's great melting pots? An Independent Globus vacation, of course!
2025: Highlights of Southeast Asia with Singapore (2747)
From $4,119.00 (USD)
With their long histories, interesting cultures, and sprawling landscape, the exciting cities of Southeast Asia offer something for everyone.
2026: Highlights of Southeast Asia with Singapore (2747)
From $4,479.00 (USD)
With their long histories, interesting cultures, and sprawling landscape, the exciting cities of Southeast Asia offer something for everyone.