Singapore

Cruise ships dock at the Singapore Cruise center at the Sentosa Harbourfront, which is connected to the harbor front center. Recently remodeled, the cruise terminal features numerous shops, restaurants, cafes which offer free WiFi for customers and a post office. Finding your way through the labyrinthine complex may be somewhat confusing. Taxis are generally available. HarborFront has an Metro Station, Bus Interchange and cable car links to Sentosa Island and Mount Faber. All these connections are within easy walking distance of the Cruise center. Singapore Changi International Airport is a mere 20 minute drive and the city center is just…

In 2012 Marina Bay Cruise Center Singapore has opened. Located at the southern tip of central Singapore, you will appreciate the convenience of being close to the airport and the city center. The nearest MRT station is Marina Bay, a 10 minute walk. Bus Service 402 will stop by the cruise center from Marina Bay which covers the first four bus stops. The bus stop is located at the coach bay at Level 1. A single fare costs below S$2.00. Please prepare the exact fare as no change will be given.A free shuttle bus is often offered to Marine Sands, a huge shopping and hotel complex. Often the ship's shuttles, sometimes free, will drop right at the…

By 2027 the two docks and terminals will be merged together and allow a continuous promenade to be established as part of the Greater Southern Waterfront.

Singapore Changi International Airport is a mere 20 minute drive and the city center is just minutes away via the city's subway system (Mass Rapid Transit)

Hotels in Singapore.

Printable map to take along.

Singapore is a small country on a small island, but with over four million people it's a fairly crowded city. The center of the city - consisting roughly of Orchard, the Riverside and a chunk of Chinatown - is known in acronym-loving Singapore as the CBD (Central Business District).

• Riverside - (also known as Civil District); Museums, statues and theaters, not to mention restaurants, bars and clubs.
• Orchard Road - Miles and miles of shopping malls.
• Bugis and Kampong Glam - Bugis and Kampong Glam are Singapore's old Malay district, now largely taken over by mall-shopping, although Arab Street in the Kampong Glam area is well worth a visit for its eclectic mix of unique shops and restaurants.
• Chinatown - The area originally designated for Chinese settlement by Stamford Raffles. Now a Cantonese enclave in predominantly Hokkien Singapore.
• Little India - A piece of India to the north of the city core.
• Balestier, Newton, Novena and Toa Payoh - Budget accommodations and Burmese temples within striking distance of the center.
• North and West - The northern and western parts of the island, also known as Woodlands and Jurong respectively, form Singapore's residential and industrial hinterlands.
• East Coast - The largely residential eastern part of the island contains Changi Airport and many famous eateries. Katong is located in the East Coast and is famous for its Peranakan food, such as laksa. Joo Chiat has some well-restored Peranakan houses with characteristic intricate architecture. Also consists of Geylang Serai, the true home of Singapore's Malays.
• Sentosa - A separate island developed into a resort, Sentosa is the closest that Singapore gets to Disneyland.
• A relatively short journey takes one to the Marina Bay area and in particular, the Marina Bay laser-light show. This occurs twice-nightly and is an attraction that draws thousands of people, both on the river-boats or sitting and standing on the beautiful esplanade which faces the bay. Here is the famous Singapore ‘Merlion’ and the surrounding area of the Bay is a mass of colour.

Explore Singapore via the public transport system with The Singapore Tourist Pass. Designed to give tourists the best value and ease of travel, the STP is available as 1 - Day, 2 - Day or 3- Day passes at only S$10 per day. It comes with a rental deposit of S$10 which is fully refundable if the card is returned within 5 days of issuance. If you plan to make 4 or more uses of the excellent and easy to use public transportation it is worthwhile.

Singapore City Hop-on Hop-off Tour What better way to zip about town to visit the places of interest than on the SIA Hop-on bus? Visitors can get unlimited air-conditioned rides that will take them to over 20 of the most popular attractions in the City. The bus will stop at major shopping malls and hotels such as Raffled City, Singapore Botanic Garden and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as well as ethnic enclaves like Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. Passengers can get on and off whenever they want. Take a cab to the nearest stop.

Over 15,000 air-conditioned cabs ply local roads and provide comfortable, hassle-free travel at a very reasonable cost. All taxis are metered and honest. When it rains, do not expect to flag down a taxi.

Trishaws, three-wheeled bicycle taxis, haunt the area around the Singapore River and Chinatown. Geared purely for tourists, they aren't really recommended for serious travel and locals do not use them. There is little room for bargaining: short rides will cost $10-20 and an hour's sightseeing charter about $50 per person.

Classic walks in Singapore include walking down the river from the Merlion through the Quays, or just strolling around Chinatown, Little India or Bugis.

For spectacular views take a ride on the Singapore Flyer, an enormous Ferris Wheel, that is as high as a 70 story building.

Located next to the Singapore Cruise center is Vivo City, the largest multi-experiential retail and lifestyle destination in Singapore, featuring about 450 outlets.

Singapore enjoys a reputation as a shoppers paradise, with no import duty or sales tax on most items. The famous shopping area is along Orchard Road, but the more colorful, ethnic shops are found in the sectors of Little India, Arab Street and Chinatown. Handicrafts, cloisonne ware, antique porcelain, jewelry and framed silk tapestries may be some of the items you may want to consider buying. Bargaining is an accepted practice in smaller shops and markets, while prices in more upscale shops and department stores are fixed.

Chewing gum absolutely not allowed! Drinking and eating on public transport strictly prohibited! Not even water!

The local currency is the Singapore dollar. ATMs are ubiquitous in Singapore and credit cards are widely accepted (although shops often levy a 3% surcharge, and taxis a whopping 15%).

If you arrive by cruise ship from another country you will have to declare the amount of cigarettes you have with you and will be taxed accordingly. For a carton: Euro 46 or U.S. $68, if you do not: expect a 20 times higher fine! They will not tell you this in the ship's tax free stores.

Free WiFi at the Marina Bay Cruise center.

English (official), Mandarin Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official)

Most stores are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.