Sensational Singapore Always Thrills, But Deserves Two Days
Day 56, 2025 Grand World Voyage
Saturday, March 1, 2025; Singapore.
The only thing wrong with our call into Singapore today is that it was too short. Typically, we stay overnight, as we did on my previous three visits and were originally scheduled to on this cruise. But we lost the second day when the cruise itinerary was changed to avoid the Red Sea. There is so much to do in this wonderful city/state that I miss the extra time and especially the evening here.
Today I saw Singapore through new eyes, as I joined my friend Crissy in exploring the city for her first time. After clearing our face-to-face (or face-to-computer in our case) clearance process in the Marina Bay Cruise Terminal, we caught the complimentary shuttle bus to the JW Marriott, centrally located next to the famous Raffles Hotel, whose Long Bar is home of the Singapore Sling. The bar wasn’t yet open at 8:45 a.m., so we continued on (and saved $37 Singapore or $26 US).
We walked on over Clarke Quay to Chinatown, where we explored the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The mother goddess Sri Mariamman is believed to have powers of healing.
It was still early in Chinatown, and most shops and hawker stalls were closed. I missed my opportunity for feline companionship at the Cat Café, but we had wonderful iced kopi, or tea with condensed milk, at Nanyang Old Coffee.
Singapore is modern, clean and relatively quiet on a Saturday morning. It prides itself on its environmental awareness, with plants providing shade to even skyscrapers and escalators slowing to a crawl when without passengers.
The MRT subway system is modern and easy to travel, with signage in English and clear maps throughout the underground stations. Just tap on with your credit card and tap off when exiting. We jumped on the MRT’s downtown line for a quick trip to Rochor station, just across the street from Sim Lim Square, a multi-story mall full of small electronics shops.
Crissy was on what turned out to be a successful hunt for a newly released camera. She thanked me profusely for going along on her errand, but I thoroughly enjoyed discovering a side of Singapore I hadn’t seen before. We even ran into one of the ship’s officers browsing there.
The next MRT took us to the Marina Bay Sands hotel/casino/shopping complex. In 2018 and again last year, I enjoyed lunch with friends at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant on the boat-like roof of the hotel. It is a highlight that shouldn’t be missed, but I’ve decided not to keep repeating experiences when there are new ones to explore. We separated at the hotel, as she went on to explore Gardens by the Bay and the Flower and Cloud domes, and I retreated back into the air conditioning of the shops.
First, I broke my rule and repeated an experience from last year’s visit – lunch at Din Tai Fung, a favorite soup noodle restaurant. Yes, I could eat there in the United States (and did in Seattle last year). But I fell in love with the experience when taking a food class at the original location in Taipei, and I don’t know when I’ll have another chance. Besides, I love the robot who escorts you to your table.
I savored my pork xiao long bao, each with its 18 exact folds – a feat I couldn’t come near replicating in Taipei. I followed it with an order of half a dozen chocolate and mochi xiao long bao and ate every one.
While walking off lunch, I enjoyed the stellar views from the iconic Apple store “floating” in Marina Bay. My only shopping purchase was waterproof mascara, having suffered black streaks from my non-waterproof version caused by heat and humidity earlier in the day.
Back on the ship, more than 200 new passengers had boarded as about the same number left. Included in those leaving was my friend Deb, crazy enough to fly back to Kansas for a few days and then head to Miami to board another cruise with friends. She and one of her sisters will fly to Athens in about six weeks to rejoin the Zuiderdam for our last segment. Too much flying for me – I’m happy just staying on board.
Your write up & pictures bring back good memories of our two visits to this beautiful & exotic port of call. We did stop and have a couple of Singapore slings, the ones they make on the ship don’t come any were close to the ones at the hotel
Thanks for this account and new ideas for another visit to Singapore. I’ve been three times and that’s not enough!
Thanks Jo, revives happy memories of our home for three years. Very sad you only had one day – after three years we thought that we had just scratched the surface. Pity a less attractive port like Komodo could not have been dropped, but understand the knock-on difficulties that would have presented. Looking forward to catching up in Barcelona.
Jo, I really enjoy your travel reports and photos!!! … George
Chocolate AND mochi??? Oh be still, my beating heart. My two MOST favorite things in the whole wide world!! Going to have to start a hunt for them.
and thanks for the tip about waterproof mascara. I try not to use it, but the raccoon eyes are a given in that kind of humidity. On my list for the next cruise.