SPECTACULAR , BOLD, INNOVATIVE , CONSTANTLY STRETCHING THE LIMITATIONS OF WHAT AND WHERE TO BUILD NEXT. HOPING THAT EACH YEAR IS BETTER THAN THE LAST. THIS IS FAST -FORWARD SINGAPORE!

VISUALLY APPEALING AND PRIDES ITSELF AS THE SWITZERLAND OF ASIA.

THE ISLAND OF SINGAPORE WAS SETTLED BY THE BRITISH IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY, WHO THEN BUILT UP THE PORT AND ENCOURAGED INTERNATIONAL TRADE TO THE AREA. SINGAPORE GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN 1965 AND QUICKLY BECAME ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES IN THE WORLD AS INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND TRADE, BEGAN TO EXPAND.

SINGAPORE’S CULTURE IS A MELTING POT, KNOWN FOR INLUENCES BY BOTH ASIA AND EUROPE, WHERE YOU’LL HEAR RESIDENTS SPEAKING MANY LANGUAGES FROM ENGLISH TO MANDARIN TO TAMIL AND MALAY WHICH ARE THE FOUR OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.

THE COUNTRY’S MULTI-ETHNIC CULTURE ARE REFLECTED IN A MULTITUDE OF FLAVORFUL CUISINE. THE GOOD PART IS YOU DON’T NEED TO SPEND BIG TO EAT GOOD. HAWKER STALLS ARE EVERYWHERE BUT EQUALLY, CLASSY RESTAURANTS AND BARS ARE YEAR-ROUND OPTIONS TOO OFFERING FANCY DISHES.

ITS WARM CLIMATE YEAR-ROUND MAKES IT A FAVORITE FOR TROPICAL WEATHER LOVER.

ESSENTIALS

CURRENCY : Singapore dollars
LANGUAGE : There3 are four (4) official language, English is one of them, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

POPULATION : The current population of Singapore is 5,969,053 as of Thursday, February 2, 2023

CLIMATE : Singapore is situated near the equator and has a typically tropical climate. The weather's warm and tropical year-round. Rainstorms are possible any time, but rainfall usually peaks Nov–Dec.

TRANSPORTATION : Getting around Singapore is a breeze. But the best way to get around Singapore is via its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. This underground network has lines that stretch across the entire city. However, once you're in the desired neighborhood, walking is your best option. MRT also operates bus routes that can get you just about anywhere on the island.

Singapore also has one of the most cost-efficient public transport networks in the world. Bus transport forms a significant part of public transport in Singapore. Taxi services in Singapore are a popular form of public transport especially if you want to go to places not accessible by bus or MRT. Cabs are metered with fares considered low compared to those in most cities in developed countries but there may be surcharges depending on when, where and which company’s taxi you board.

The Singapore Tourist Pass comes with a fixed cost per day (S$10 for 1-Day Pass, S$16 for 2-Day Pass and S$20 for 3-Day Pass). The ez-link card costs S$12, inclusive of a S$5 non-refundable card cost and S$7 travel value. Both tourists and locals can purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass.

Download the Singapore Train System Map here.

PORT GUIDE

PORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION

The City has two cruise ports. As a rule of thumb, small and mid-sized cruise ships dock at the International Passenger Terminal on the western end of the city across from Sentosa Island, whilst larger ships dock at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. There are two berths for the International Passenger Terminal and this is one big mall, Harbourfront Centre adjacent to a much bigger mall, Vivocity.

Information on how to get to Harbourfront, maps and cruise schedules are here.

The MRT is an excellent underground/subway network with stops close to all main attractions in Singapore and also with a connection to the airport. There is a stop right at the HarbourFront on the North East Line (NEL), which has stops close to Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Little India. Right outside the main exit of the HarbourFront Terminal there are bus stops to most directions, with buses taking around 20 minutes to the city center.

The Limousine Counter is on Level 1 (Main Concourse just outside the Arrival Hall) with fares to top attractions around SGD$50 (US$36). Taxis are available right outside the Terminal building. All taxis are metered and take around 10 to 15 minutes to the city center and around 30 to 40 minutes to the airport.

Both the International Passengers Terminal and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, or MBCCS is equipped with free Wi-Fi, souvenir shopping, and currency exchange, taxi and limousine services and affordable Left Luggage Service.

The Marina South Pier metro station is a short walk away, making it easy to get to or from your cruise ship to the city’s financial and business district. The city of Singapore has greatly invested in making its cruise facilities modern, luxurious, and state of the art.

You will find a tourist information counter in the terminal. There are also Tourist Information aka Visitor Centers booths around the city’s downtown.

Public buses are efficient and very affordable. Just outside the terminal you will find the #402 bus stop located at the coach bay with a direct service to the city center. Buses operate between 6:00am and 11:00pm and a single fare costs S$2.00 (under US$1.00). Insiders Tip: make sure you have exact fare as no change will be given back.

The Marina South Pier MRT Station is an extension of the North-South Line and the closest to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. After exiting the terminal, look for a covered walkway on your right. The station is around 1/3 mile/600 meters away.

Outside the terminal you will see a City Sightseeing stop. However, be aware that this popular Hop-On Hop-Off bus only stops at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre to pick cruise travelers with booked tours either with the cruise line or with online services.

Note that before entering either terminal, all passengers will be checked by Singapore Customs, so make sure to have your passport ready.

Cruise schedules, maps and other information are here.

Singapore Guide can be downloaded here.

International Passengers Terminal - Harbourfront Centre
ADDRESS : 1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253

Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS)
61 Marina Coastal Drive, Singapore

TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

Taking the MRT to Changi Airport (SIN) requires changing trains at Tanah Merah station. 24-hr shuttle buses to hotels in the city center are also available for $9. Taking a metered taxi should cost between $20-$40 plus airport surcharge dependent on the time of day and take around 30 minutes. http://www.changiairport.com/

For an inexpensive meal, Changi airport has hidden food courts mainly for workers but open to the public. They are marked as staff canteens.

HOTELS

Search hotels in Singapore here. Staying downtown will still give easy access to the both cruise terminals.

Embarking and/or Disembarking in Singapore

Singapore is a major Home Port with most cruise ships Embarking and Disembarking passengers in the city-state for the start and/or end of cruises in South East Asia.

Cruise travelers that have never been in Singapore before should consider flying to Singapore at least 2 days before the cruise to explore the many attractions of the city. For those traveling from far away continents like Europe and America, flying at least one day ahead of the cruise is mandatory. Firstly, to assure that you will not miss the ship (and the beginning of cruise). Secondly, to recover from a long flight (any thing between 18 and 30 hours). Last but not least, to overcome jet lag and adapt to a new time zone - around 12 hours. Even for those traveling from Australia, it should be noted that a flight from Sidney to Singapore is around 8 hours long and that there is a 3 hour time difference.

TOP SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS FOR CRUISES TO SINGAPORE

For easy reference, download this maps that highlight key places of interest, hotels and landmarks in Singapore.

THE GARDENS BY THE BAY - have become completely synonymous with Singapore. Here you’ll find sculptures in the shape of funky flowers lit up in bright colors. The garden is home to multiple greenhouses, like the Flower Dome, where the temperatures and the plant life are always in spring. In the Cloud Forest, a small mountain was built for visitors to scale, bringing a tropical mountain climate all the way to Singapore. Guided tours and shows happen daily, and there’s something for all ages here, including a children’s garden and a sculpture park.

MERLION - - This half lion, half fish fountain is the symbol of Singapore. The original one is downtown (MRT Raffles Place) with a copy on Sentosa Island.

OBSERVATION DECK AT MARINA BAY SANDS -Marina Bay Sands - This brand new complex features a rooftop swimming pool and observation deck. The swimming pool is only for guests but the observation deck is open to the public. The casino is in the large mall across the street. MRT Bayfront (opened Jan 2012) or walk across the Helix bridge from MRT Promenade. Wonder Full, a free water and light show takes place every evening. Link here

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDEN -

Sentosa Island - This area includes Universal Studios, a casino, beaches, restaurants and many tourist attractions. The top attractions are Fort Silo and Underwater World. The free Crane Dance show is held every evening at Resorts World. A Fun Pass is available for discounts if you want to see lots of attractions and there is a 2 day option with Universal Studios admission. Various ways to get to Sentosa including the monorail from Vivocity, cable car from Harbourfront or bus. http://www.sentosa.com.sg/

LITTLE INDIA - come to this neighborhood for authentic Indian food

KAMPONG GLAM - middle eastern area centered around Sultan Mosque near Bugis. Pedestrian only Bussorah St is the main tourist destination here running between the mosque and Baghdad St.

SINGAPORE ZOO -This world class zoo is one of Singapore's top attractions.and renowned for its 'open concept' rainforest environment. Singapore Zoo is also one of the country's designated centres for rescued wildlife. Located on the north-western side of the island, the Singapore Zoo is a haven for wondrous wildlife and a must-visit for animal lovers. It is home to over 2800 animals from over 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles.

You'll need to take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio and then bus 138 or MRT to Khatib and then taxi to get here. Night safaris are also offered in the evening.

SINGAPORE FLYER - This large ferris wheel offers sweeping views of Singapore. There is a 60's hawker themed food court here as well. http://www.singaporeflyer.com

On the left side of the Terminal, there is a Cable Car to the Sentosa Island. If this top attraction of Singapore is on your plans, you may also consider using the Sentosa Express monorail, which has a stop located at VivoCity (Lobby L, Level 3).
Sentosa Website: www.sentosa.com.sg
Cable Car Website: www.onefabergroup.com

SENTOSA ISLAND - known for its parks, preserves, and unspoiled waterfront. There’s a variety of beachside restaurants and snack stands so you won’t have to venture far from the sand, which has been imported all the way from Australia. Enjoy activities like volleyball, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more.

Located just off Singapore's southern coast, Sentosa Island is home to three of Singapore’s best beaches. These are artificial beaches on reclaimed land, using sand brought in from Indonesia and Malaysia. Tanjong and Siloso Beach, and Palawan Beach are located in Sentosa island.

WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE TO EAT

There are food courts or hawker center all over the city for an inexpensive meal. Have lunch at hawker centers which were originally food carts moved under cover to create outdoor food courts. Seah Im Food Centre is across from Vivocity. Vivocity has two food courts, one in the basement and a more expensive Food Republic on the top floor.

There are two Michelin starred hawker restaurants, both with mixed reviews. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Liao Fan Hawker Chan which has expanded into a sit down restaurant.

Singapore is famous for it's Hainanese chicken rice. A recommended spot is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre, Chinatown (look for the biggest lineup). Ah Tai a few stalls over is a good alternative. Vivocity has a few chicken rice options including The Chicken Rice Shop, and stalls in both food courts.

Have a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel. This will set you back 26 SGD however. https://www.raffles.com/singapore/

Try an ice cream sandwich from street vendors on Orchard Rd or Chinatown. It's literally a slice of ice cream served between a slice of slightly sweet bread or wafers.

For meat lovers, try some addictive bakkwa. Bakkwa is a sweet meat jerky, more tender than it's American counterpart and available in pork, beef or other meats. Recommended shops in Chinatown are Kim Hwa Guan in People's Park Food Center or the chains Bee Cheng Hiang (location in Harbourfront also) or Kim Hock Gwan.

Clarke Quay is an entertainment/restaurant complex on the banks of the river. Not too busy during the daytime but you can take a river cruise from here.

Boat Quay (south bank of the Singapore River) is lined with riverfront restaurants busy with the downtown lunch crowd.

There is a large Cold Storage Supermarket in Vivocity and a smaller one in Harbourfront.

Tim Ho Wan, Hong Kong's famouse dim sum restaurant, opened a location in April 2013 in Plaza Singapura on Orchard Rd. (MRT Dhoby Ghaut)

Lau Pa Sat - Boon Tat street beside this hawker center downtown transforms into an outdoor satay street in the evening.

Crystal Jade - This Chinese restaurant chain specializing in soup dumplings (xiao long bao-XLB) and found throughout Asia actually is from Singapore. Dim sum available. The flagship restaurant is in Ngee Ann City Mall on Orchard Rd (MTR Orchard). Other restaurants can be found at Vivocity and Suntec City Mall (MRT Esplanade).

Hot-Star - This fried chicken cutlet chain has expanded from its roots in Taipei to stores at Ion Orchard and Resort World Sentosa.

Alcohol is expensive in Singapore due to high taxes. Be aware of duty-free limits if Singapore is your disembarkation port. Link here.

SHOPPING- WHERE TO BUY

JEWEL - Everywhere you go in Singapore, there is a place to shop. It is a one giant shopping City with a high concentration of malls including at the latest Jewel at the Changi Airport.

ORCHARD ROAD - The definitive spot for shopping in Singapore is Orchard Road, the shopping district home to over 5,000 businesses. You can lose track of time here while on a cruise to Singapore, whether you’re looking to explore art galleries, try on new clothes, or browse for high-end goods. There’s even a rare whisky museum where you can enjoy whisky tastings. Orchard Road is also home to many bars and restaurants that add to Singapore’s gourmet scene.

CHINATOWN - When stopped before your cruise from Singapore, you’ll see the city has a vibrant energy that is infectious. Singapore’s Chinatown is a must-see for some of the cheapest, best street food in the city, shops featuring local artists and designers, and beautifully preserved temples. Walk the narrow streets, stop for a bite to eat, or tour the restored temple Thian Hock Keng.

Singapore’s Chinatown is also a must-see for its energy, where vendors not only sell cheap eats at their stalls, but also offer fashion from independent and emerging designers and artists looking to support their craft. Because so many vendors also sell food, you can hop from boutique to boutique and stay close to some of the best food before your cruise from Singapore.

This area is full of outdoor markets and restaurants. Sample some bakkwa (see below) and visit the Hindu temple. Club St is lively in the evening to bar hop or to have a meal. Chinatown Food Street on Smith St hosts the city's largest hawkercenter (open air food court) and has been renovated a few times. http://chinatownfoodstreet.sg/ MRT Chinatown.

MARINA BAY SANDS - Find luxury brands and well known names when you’re shopping at the Marina Bay Sands Mall, which is just a short 15-minute ride from the cruise center, particularly if you’re interested in high fashion and Singaporean designers.

Duty-Free Shopping at the IPT Terminal

Cruise travelers looking for duty-free shopping will be disappointed to know that there are only a few shops at the cruise terminal. However, just next to terminal you will find all major brands and chain stores at the VivoCity Shopping Mall, which is the largest retail venue in Singapore.
VivoCity Website: www.vivocity.com.sg

TAX REFUND

Tourists can claim a refund on the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on your purchases if you spend more than $100 at any participating shops

LOCAL CURRENCY AND TIPPING CUSTOMS

The official currency of Singapore is the Singaporean dollar (S$). Notes come in denominations of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$1,000 and S$10,000. Coins come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and S$1.

Tipping is encouraged when you experience good service, and this would be above the standard 10 percent gratuity to your bill added by some restaurants and hotels.

Credit cards are considered the norm here. You can find currency exchange at banks and conveniently at money exchange counters at both cruise ports.