Singapore was the final stop on our Christmas cruise with NCL. After visiting Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam, Singapore marked the sixth country visited in just two weeks! It was an unforgettable 14-day adventure, full of excitement and new experiences. While each destination offered something enriching, it was also a bit tiring being constantly on the move. But despite the busy schedule, it was definitely a once in a lifetime journey!

Singapore was a more relaxing stop, as it has a very modern vibe, similar to American standards and culture. However, I’ll say that some of their laws and the consequences for breaking them are pretty intense. One example is that you can’t chew gum on the streets! I get it, it keeps the streets cleaner, but banning it entirely feels a bit extreme. Another serious thing to note is that Singapore still has the death penalty, and it’s enforced for certain crimes, like drug trafficking. If you’re caught importing or exporting large amounts of drugs, like 15 grams of heroin or 500 grams of cannabis you can face the death sentence!

First Day:

To kick off our time in Singapore, we headed straight for the iconic Marina Bay Sands. The towering structures with the boat on top are a symbol of the city, and they’re even more impressive up close! Walking up to them felt surreal. We had been here in 2016, but due to being too young, I don’t remember much from that trip, so I was excited to return and really take it all in this time!

We went inside one of the towers and made our way up to the top floor way up on the boat, where the restaurant Lavo is located. The view of the entire city from there was absolutely breathtaking, so of course, we had to take some pictures! At the restaurant, we ordered drinks and appetizers, and spent some time soaking in the view before heading out to explore more of the city.

We made our way to the Gardens by the Bay, home to the iconic Supertree Grove and the Flower Dome. However, it was incredibly hot, and walking around became a bit tiring, so we didn’t stay long before deciding to take a taxi to Little India.

As we were strolling through the streets, we noticed a group of girls with beautiful henna tattoos. They were so cool that we couldn’t resist getting some ourselves! It was amazing how quickly the artists could create such detailed designs. With our fresh henna, we continued exploring the streets, passing by a variety of shops with everything from traditional clothes and trinkets to groceries. The area was alive with vibrant colors, and there were plenty of elephant-themed items everywhere.

After exploring Little India, we decided to check out Chinatown! On the way there, our taxi driver recommended we try the Maxwell Food Center for lunch, and we did just that. Walking into the building was a bit overwhelming with so many people, vendors, and food options. In the end, we settled on chicken rice, dumplings, egg rolls, and a smoothie. The variety was impressive, but honestly, none of the dishes stood out to us. While it was great to finally get something to eat and experience the lively atmosphere, it probably wouldn’t be our first choice for a return visit.

After lunch, we headed to some nearby temples. When we entered the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, we were asked to cover our shoulders with shawls. Inside, we were surrounded by vibrant red and gold decor, with offerings and written prayers scattered throughout. The temple featured many statues of the gods, and it was clear that it’s still an active place of worship. You can even watch videos of the rituals on their website!

We spent some time strolling up and down the streets, popping into shops along the way and enjoying the beautiful decorations. It was pretty inexpensive and we even bought some chopsticks as souvenirs to take home. After visiting the Sri Mariamman Temple and admiring its intricate entrance, we were ready to continue our exploration of Singapore.

Next, we visited the National Museum of Singapore, which was packed with fascinating history and loads of interesting exhibits. From Singapore’s early days as a port city to its journey through WWII and eventual independence, there was so much to take in. The displays ranged from ancient artifacts to personal items from wartime, and while it was super informative, we did start to get a little antsy with all the reading. Still, it was a cool stop to understand the city’s roots, and definitely worth a visit if you’ve got the time!

To kill time before our booked night safari tour at the zoo, we wandered around a mall for a bit. The stores mostly featured Asian-style clothing, and everything looked so cute! However, nothing fit quite right. A ‘small’ here is more like an XXS by European and American standards, and most stores didn’t carry larger sizes. On top of that, the mall was packed, with lines at nearly every store. If we had more time I would have loved to shop a bit. We grabbed some dumplings and bubble tea for dinner before it was time to head to the zoo.

Arriving at the Singapore Zoo, we somehow managed to find the right area, though it was a bit confusing due to ongoing construction. Once we got in, we had the option to either take a safari shuttle or walk the night-safari path at our own pace. We decided to hop in line for the shuttle. Despite the large crowd and long line, it moved surprisingly fast, and we didn’t have to wait too long before it was our turn. up.

Boarding the tram at the Night Safari, we had quiet speakers inside the carts telling us about the animals we were going to see. Some of the animals were hard to spot since they were hiding or blending into the shadows, but that’s to be expected at any zoo. We saw lions, elephants, hippos, deer, small marsupials, and more! The ride went by pretty quickly, but it was still really cool!

Afterward, we decided to walk the path on our own. We got to see all the animals we had seen on the shuttle, plus more including this leopard. One of my favorite parts of the night was seeing the Indian gharials a type of crocodile with a long, narrow snout. At first, it was hard to see them since the water was murky and it was so dark. Then, out of nowhere, a silhouette would rise to the surface. It was fun trying to guess where they would appear next!

After we finished the night walk, we ended the evening with the ‘Creatures of the Night’ show. We all sat down in the Night Safari Amphitheater, with water features and trees that set the perfect scene.

We got to see animals like Otters, fennec foxes with their big ears, bearded pigs searching for hidden treats and Indian crested porcupines demonstrating how they can collapse their quills to squeeze into tree hollows. There was also a Binturong, which was so cute! They have really strong tails that they can actually hang from off a tree.

The whole show was entertaining and really educational, teaching us about these nocturnal creatures and the conservation efforts for them. Overall, the whole experience was awesome and definitely worth checking out if you’re in Singapore!

Next Day:

The next day, it was time to disembark after an amazing two weeks on the cruise! After enjoying one last cruise breakfast (I still miss the homemade omelettes I had every day!), we made our way off the ship.

My parents were staying for another night, so we headed to the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach to drop off our bags for the day. And wow, the rooms were absolutely dreamy! The window curtains opened up to reveal a stunning view of the city skyline. The hotel had two floors with pools, complimentary snacks, and an all you can eat and drink cocktail hour for members. On top of that, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming!

After dropping off our bags, we made our way straight to the waterfront. The area was lively, and we took some fun pictures with the Merlion. It was the perfect spot for people-watching, as it was bustling with tourists from all over! The weather was ideal, and the view of the skyline against the clear blue sky made it even better. As we walked further along the water, we stumbled upon Jypsy One Fullerton, a charming restaurant with a laid back vibe (definitely recommend!). We decided to get a couple cocktails and soak in the atmosphere.

To finish off our time in Singapore, we headed to the vibrant Arab Street in Kampong Gelam. After a quick taxi ride, we were greeted by a giant mural on the side of a building, setting the tone for the area with the story it depicted! As we walked through the streets, we passed by a mix of restaurants, shops, art and a mosque at the heart of it all.

One thing that really stood out to me was the number of selfie shops. You pay an entrance fee and get access to all kinds of props and themed setups for photos. It seemed a bit unusual, but I could see how it could be a fun experience! After grabbing some delicious Lebanese food at one of the many restaurants, it was time for my sister and me to head to the airport and wrap up our Singapore adventure.

The airport itself is often considered an attraction, with many people setting aside extra time to explore. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we were disappointed to find that the airport waterfall was closed. To make matters worse, we didn’t have enough time to visit the butterfly gardens, as they were on the complete opposite side of the airport. We were definitely bummed about missing out, but hey, I guess that just means we’ll have to plan another visit!

Overall, Singapore was an incredible way to end our trip. With vibrant neighborhoods, stunning landmarks, and unique cultural experiences. It’s definitely a place I’d love to return to!

Highlights:

• Lavo Restaurant at the Marina Bay Sands
• Henna in Little India
• Shopping in China Town
• Night Safari at the Zoo
• Arab Street