Make this a holiday to remember while exploring Singapore’s most alluring highlights. A ride on the famous Singapore Flyer complete with Champagne and canapés serves as a memorable prelude, followed by an evening visit to see the holiday light display at Gardens by the Bay, a vast lush waterfront garden and nature park you’ll also have the opportunity to tour by day. Relax on a sightseeing trip along the Singapore River, admire top landmarks, discover Chinatown and take walk through several historical districts. Toast to the occasion with a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, an icon of storied elegance dating to 1887.
NOTE: Please advise the Destination Team via Reservations or Guest Services at least two weeks prior to your travel of any seafood allergies or dietary restrictions. Once in Singapore changes to included meal menues may not be possible.
DAY 1 – December 24, 2023
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 – December 25, 2023
After breakfast at the hotel, you have a full day at leisure with lunch on your own. Perhaps take advantage of the facilities in the hotel. Your hotel Concierge will be happy to assist with any independent sightseeing questions you may have.
In the evening you will be treated to unobstructed views of the sparkling Marina Bay area from the comfort of a spacious capsule on the famous Singapore Flyer. Sip chilled champagne and snack on a series of canapes as you experience the best views in Singapore.
Next, return to Gardens by the Bay for a visit to the Christmas Wonderland – a must-see attraction in Singapore during the Christmas season. There will be vendors selling handmade items as well as a variety of characters including reindeers, elves, and possibly even Santa Claus himself. There will be delicious food, and limited-edition drinks for sale, but the highlight will be the incredible light display that will surely amaze. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience!
(Note: attractions for Christmas Wonderland are subject to change. If there are any changes to the festivities line up, details will be provided in your final cruise documents received at approximately 21 days before sailing. Do expect crowds at both the Flyer and the Gardens)
DAY 3 – December 26, 2023
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.
Continue with a visit to Chinatown where you will walk through its alleyways and visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre. Housed within 3 traditional shop houses, each level of the Heritage Centre takes you to a different period in the history of Chinatown and allows you to trace the lives of its early occupants. The hard life of the migrants resulted in many of them seeking solace in the four evils: opium smoking, prostitution, gambling and secret societies.
Enjoy lunch 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 4 – December 27, 2023
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your guide for your tour to “Gardens by the Bay” by daylight. 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 and dinner are on your own.
DAY 5 – December 28, 2023
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
•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 – December 24, 2023
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 1 – December 24, 2023
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
DAY 2 – December 25, 2023
From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at leisure, lunch on own
Eat an early dinner or dine later upon your return
5:00pm Meet your guide at the hotel lobby
5:15pm Depart for the Singapore Flyer
5:40pm Arrive at the Flyer, check-in and board your capsule
6:00pm On board the capsule of Singapore Flyer
7:00pm Disembark from the Singapore Flyer, you will have some time for photo taking
7:40pm Depart for Gardens by the Bay
8:00pm Arrive at Gardens by the Bay, you have the option to walk with the guide or explore
on your own
9:40pm Depart from Gardens by the Bay (or stay longer and return on your own)
10:00pm Arrive back at your hotel
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or similar hotel
DAY 3 – December 26, 2023
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet you guide in the hotel lobby
9:15am Arrive at Waterloo Street, stop at the famous Synagogue, walk along the street where you will stop at the famous Chinese Kwan Imm temple and Sri Krishnan Temple
9:40am Take a walk at Albert Street, where you will see local vendors by the streets and a wet market and hawker center where the local will stop by for their daily groceries and meals
10:00am Depart from Albert Street and drive through Chinatown
10:30am Arrive in Chinatown, short walk to the Chinatown Heritage Center
10:45am Arrive at the Chinatown Heritage Center
12:00pm Leaving Chinatown Heritage Center for lunch
12:30pm Arrive at restaurant
1:30pm Depart and drive through the colonial district
1:45pm Arrive at the River Cruise jetty
2:00pm Board a riverboat and cruise along the Singapore River
2:30pm Disembark from Boat
2:45pm Transfer to Arab Street
3:00pm Arrive at Arab Street and take a short walk to see the Sultan Mosque
3:30pm Free time
3:45pm Depart from Arab Street and return to hotel
4:00pm Arrive at your hotel
Remainder of the evening is at your leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or similar hotel
DAY 4 – December 27, 2023
7:00am Breakfast at the 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 to your hotel
1:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure
Lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or similar hotel
DAY 5 – December 28, 2023
From 7:00am Breakfast at hotel
9:00am Luggage to be ready (by your mini bar) for collection
From 9:30am Luggage verification in the holding room before transferring to Cruise Center.
12:00pm Check out time at the hotel
Transfer to the Singapore Changi Airport based on the flight details provided. Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests with late flights.
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. The monsoon season can bear down pretty heavily on our tropical weather from November onwards, so be prepared for rain on a daily basis during this period.
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.
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
4 nights at the Mandarin Oriental including breakfast – Marina Bay Room
1 Lunch
1 Full Day tour with English speaking guide
1 Half Day tour with English speaking guide
Christmas Wonderland transfer and entrance (food, drinks and vendors are additional cost)
Singapore Flyer with champagne and canapes
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 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 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.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
