Discover Singapore’s contrasting cultures and fascinating history on a tour of its eclectic neighborhoods coupled with a sightseeing cruise on the Singapore River. Enjoy lunch and marvel at the skyline from the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and tour Gardens by the Bay, a sprawling waterfront garden and nature park followed by a signature Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, the oldest hotel in Singapore.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the Singapore International Airport, you will be met in the public arrivals area just outside of baggage claim and transferred to your hotel.
Check in time is 3:00pm. Rooms may or may not be ready before this time. Guests with early arriving flights may wish to book an extra night to ensure a ready room upon your arrival.
Lunch and dinner are on your own.
The Mandarin Oriental is an award-winning property with a prime location close to the financial hub and easy access to luxury boutiques and entertainment venues. It houses five renowned restaurants, an award-winning bar and a lounge overlooking the spectacular Marina Bay.
DAY 2
After breakfast, you will be met by your guide for an introductory tour to discover the multi religion and culture of Singapore.
Begin with an exploration of Waterloo Street where you will find several well-known landmarks, including the Kwan Imm Thong Hood Cho Temple, Maghain Aboth Synagogue, Sculpture Square, and Sri Krishnan Temple. The Maghain Aboth Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Singapore and was built by the local Jewish community in 1878. Here you will experience how the locals adapt to each other’s culture and religion.
Next take a walk along Albert Street which was originally lined with two-story shop houses, and was famous for its Chinese restaurants, bars, medicine shops and food stalls. You can still see some of the old traditional retail shops within this area.
You will also see the business district that is responsible for the nation's fiscal security and drive through the historic Padang or colonial area. Have your camera ready as architecture and foliage combine to create the perfect backdrop for you to capture the landmarks of Singapore's colonial past.
Next, visit the National Museum of Singapore, a museum dedicated to inspiring visitors with Singapore tales. The National Museum of Singapore, founded in 1887, is the country’s oldest museum in Singapore. The museum explores the significant events and individuals who have formed Singapore’s social history and preserves and interprets it.
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch and marvel at the skyline from the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel before boarding a colourful riverboat for a 30-minute ride down the Singapore River. In Raffles’ days, the riverboats carried goods. Today, they are a popular way to experience a kaleidoscope of historic river and harbor images, including the “godown” warehouses, the shophouses, the six bridges built by the British and the gracious buildings of the old waterfront set against the towering skyline of the new business district.
The day wraps up with a visit to Arab Street, the old center of the Malay community. Today, Arab Street is abundant with glittery and lavish fashion items that include the finest lace, sparkling semi-precious stones, ostrich feathers, iron-on diamantes, gold thread, wholesales bales of silk and organza with dazzling rainbow hues and intensities. Traditional rattan is also sold in little India’s street shops, and the beautiful gold-domed Sultan Mosque is located here.
After this comprehensive and enlightening tour of the city, you will return to your hotel to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your own leisure, or you may choose to stay in the city and make your own way back to your hotel. Dinner is on your own today.
DAY 3
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you will be met mid-morning by your guide for your tour to “Gardens by the Bay”. These Gardens capture the essence of Singapore as the premier tropical Garden City with the perfect environment in which to love and work – making Singapore a leading global city of the 21st century.
Underlying the concept of Gardens by the Bay are the principles of environmental sustainability. Comprising two glass biomes, the Conservatories replicate the cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean and semi-arid sub-tropical regions and the cool-moist climate of the Tropical Montane region. They house a diverse collection of plants that are not commonly seen in this part of the world and are of high conservation value.
Visit the Cloud Forest, a mysterious world veiled in mist. A 35-metre-tall mountain covered in lush vegetation shrouding the world’s tallest indoor waterfall showcases plant life from tropical highlands up to 2,000-meters above sea level.
Next, step into the Flower Dome and you will marvel in awe of nature as well as the spectacular and innovative designs. The Flower Dome replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions.
You may wish to stroll along the Skyway and take in a view of the Gardens from above. (there is a separate fee to walk along the Skyway)
Truly a spectacular and colorful national icon, Gardens by the Bay will capture the imagination of everyone who visits.
Next, visit the oldest hotel in Singapore, Raffles Hotel, where you can enjoy their signature cocktail at the Long Bar – the Singapore Sling. This classic gin cocktail was developed sometime before 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon, who was a bar tender at the Long Bar.
After this tour, you will return to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Lunch is on your own.
In the evening you will meet your guide once again for a transfer to The Tower Club for dinner.
With more than two decades of history. Tower Club is the premier private business club of the who’s who in Singapore. Sitting on the Penthouse of Republic Plaza One, the exquisitely decorated club offers views from the 62nd to 64th floors, setting the scene for networking and entertaining.
Dinner will be at the Club’s signature Atlantic restaurant. Appointed with elegance and luxury, Atlantic marries exquisite contemporary European cuisine and impeccable, attentive service.
DAY 4
After breakfast, settle any incidentals, check out and transfer to the port for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights:
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
• If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
• If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
Day 1
Arrive at the Singapore Changi International Airport.
You are met and transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and the evening at your leisure.
Check in time is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early morning arrival, you may choose to book an extra night so that you room is ready upon arrival.
Lunch and dinner are on your own account.
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
• Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
• Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
• Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
• If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2
7:00am Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet you guide in the hotel lobby
9:15am Walk along Waterloo Street
9:40am Walk along Albert Street
10:00am Depart from Albert Street to Singapore National Museum
10:30am Arrive at Singapore National Museum; walk through the museum, getting to know the past and present Singapore
11:15am Depart for Marina Bay Sands Skypark
11:30am Arrive Marina Bay Sands and walk to Skypark
12:15am Depart Marina Bay Sands to drive to Restaurant
12:30pm Arrive at Restaurant for Lunch
1:30pm Depart from Restaurant, and a drive through the colonial district.
1:45pm Arrive at the riverboat cruise jetty pier
2:00pm Boat ride
2:40pm Transfer to Arab Street
3:00pm Arrive at Arab Street
3:15pm Free time along Arab Street
3:30pm Depart from Arab Street and return to your hotel
4:00pm Approximate arrival back at your hotel
Dinner in on your own
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 7:00am Leisurely breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby
9:15am Arrive at Gardens By the Bay
9:30am Short stroll with the guide to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest
11:15am Depart from Gardens by the Bay and proceed to Raffles Hotel
11:30am Arrive at Raffle Hotel Long Bar for a Singapore Sling
12:00pm Free time at the hotel
12:45pm Return drive to your hotel
1:00pm Approximate arrival back at your hotel
Lunch on your own and afternoon at leisure
6:30pm Pick up from Hotel Lobby and transfer to Tower Club for dinner
7:00pm Arrive at Tower Club
7:10pm Dinner commences
8:40pm Return to your hotel via Chinatown
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or similar hotel
DAY 4
7:00am Breakfast at hotel
8:30-9:00am Luggage ready in your room for pick up by the porters
9:30am Luggage verification in the holding room before transferring to Cruise Center
12:00pm Transfer to the Cruise Center
12:30pm Approximate arrival at the Cruise Center for embarkation
Expected Weather:
Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather, with little variation throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 31ºC (88ºF), dropping to around 24ºC (75ºF) in the evenings.
What to Bring:
When packing, keep in mind that you will be in the tropics. Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year round. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik shirts whereas women should wear dresses.
Local Currency:
The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar (S$). Money changing services can be found not only at the Singapore Changi Airport but also at most shopping centers and hotels around the island. You can also access the automated teller machines (ATMs) located everywhere (even in the most obscure bits) in Singapore, that accept most of the main credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Electricity
Singapore's electricity voltage is 220-240V with ac, 50 cycles per second. Generally, the electricity outlets are three-pronged - two parallel flat pins with a ground outlet. You may purchase adaptors in any of the hardware stores or rent one from the hotel. We recommend travelling with your own international adaptor should you have electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Visitors must have a valid passport or internationally recognized travel document valid for minimum 6 months beyond the date of entry into Singapore. Guests should check with their local embassy for any visa requirements for their nationality.
Hotel Address:
Mandarin Oriental
5 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039797
Phone: +65 6338 0066
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests
• 3 nights at the Mandarin Oriental including breakfast – Marina Bay View Room
• 1 buffet lunch
• 1 dinner
• 1 Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel
• 1 Full Day tour with English speaking guide
• 1 Half Day tour with English speaking guide
• Transfers
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Any meals or beverages not listed above
• Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
• Any visas if required
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
