Recommendations for Regents four day pre-cruise Singapore tour.

[Avidtravler]

We will be going on the Explorer early February Singapore to Hong Kong. We are taking Regents four day pre-cruise tour of Singapore, and  would love to hear pros and cons from anyone who has had the experience. Did you use all of Regent's Guides, or did you book any private guides, and if so where did you go? All general comments would be appreciated including hotel used by Regent, restaurants at hotel or nearby not to be  missed, places you would go back to. Would like contacts to private guides you might suggest.

[ljsanantonio]

We did the post cruise tour of Singapore last February and there are good and bad aspects.  They put us up in the Fairmont which was lovely, but there was disparity in room views and availability.  I would try to get in one of the first groups (there were about 7 groups of 25 people each).  The gardens by the bay tour got out of hand for the guide, as most of us wanted to see the attractions on our own rather than getting a history lesson, but DO NOT MISS Gardens by the Bay.  Singapore is very walkable, and we noticed some fellow passengers start tours and then opt to go on their own, which I thought was very smart, such as don't go the boat ride as it is hot and does not offer much shade, and the dinner at the "top restaurant/hotel" was not worth the time spent (transporting and seating 150-200 people).  Actually, all of the provided meals were none too exciting.  Singapore is very walkable and taxis and ubers are plentiful. 

 

We love to walk and found Fairmont to Marina Bay Sands, which you will want to photograph in the day and night, was doable.  Do NOT miss the Lavo Rooftop Restaurant and Bar--reservations highly suggested and lunch is more available than dinner. 

 

Absolutely take a taxi to the Bird Park, it was spectular.  And to the traditional Botanical Gardens.  Regent's tour to the Zoo was good but again the guide had trouble keeping the group together.  The city tour enables you to get your bearings, but there are hit an miss items as you would expect.  Some friends loved the tour that gave insight into the city planning and visited a local's apartment home.  If you are the Chinese New Year, Chinatown is very interesting at dusk; our friends loved it so much they took a taxi back to see it after dark but said the traffic was terrible, would not do it again. Nighttime zoo was a disappointment.  Fairmont is right across the street from the Raffles Hotel, which was fun and I got some great souvenirs at the hotel gift shop.  Long Bar has changed with long wait times and very expensive drinks, so we passed.  Not too far from the Fairmont is Chijmes, a renovated church where you will find many restaurants and bars that a lot of fun.

 

Sorry for the rambling thoughts; but I relived a wonderful time answering your question.

Edited August 29 by ljsanantonio

[loriva]

Believe we were on the same post-cruise visit to Singapore.  Agree with the points made.

 

The Fairmont is also within walking distance of the Singapore Flyer.  If you do the trip at sunset, you'll get a great view of the lights coming on at the Gardens by the Bay over the water.

[Tsunami74]

We were on the post cruise tour of Singapore last February also.

We had an overnight in Singapore before disembarkation.  There was offered a Singapore at night excursion.  If available, do not miss! It was awesome.

The Singapore Flyer, river cruise and China town at night were incredible. 

We took the river cruise during the day also. It was nice, but the views from the river at night of the lighted high rising buildings were spectacular. 

[Avidtravler]

Can anyone suggest a restaurant near the Fairmont Hotel that is not to be missed while in Singapore?

[doc47]

We are booked for the same cruise as the OP. We were in Singapore for post-cruise in 2022 and a few years earlier.. The city is very safe and very walkable. We saw women walking their dogs at midnight without a care in the world. Also plenty of not very expensive taxis. We will arrive from the west coast 3 days ahead. Will skip the Regent tours, but spend a full day at the Botanical Gardens (the orchid section should not be missed) as well as a long walk along Orchard Road and beyond. We have previously stayed at The Shangri-la and found it to be quite memorable (check out the Valley Wing). This time will look at Raffles or the Marina Sands. We will also look at Viator other major attractions.