Singapore Cruise Port Guide
My Futuristic Garden City That Blows My Mind Every Time
Quick Answer: Singapore consistently ranks #1 or #2 in Asia-Pacific for Royal Caribbean passengers (4.9–5.0 stars). Must-dos: Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest, chili crab at Jumbo Seafood, and the Marina Bay Sands light show. The MRT is spotless, cheap, and gets you everywhere.
My Singapore Day – A First-Person Account
Every single time our Royal Caribbean ship sails through the Strait of Singapore at dawn and the skyline of Marina Bay Sands, the Supertrees, and that incredible skyline appear like something out of a sci-fi movie, I actually tear up a little. Singapore is consistently ranked the #1 or #2 port in all of Asia-Pacific by Royal passengers (4.9–5.0 average 2023–2025), and I get it completely.
My perfect day starts the second we dock: I'm off the ship and on the MRT (spotless, cheap, air-conditioned) straight to Gardens by the Bay for the first entry into the Cloud Forest dome – that 35-meter indoor waterfall and mist-shrouded mountain take my breath away every single time. Then the Flower Dome, the Supertree Grove light show at night, and the OCBC Skyway for panoramic views.
Lunch is always chili crab and black pepper crab at Jumbo Seafood or No Signboard on the East Coast – messy, expensive, and the best seafood I've ever had. Afternoon options: Sentosa Island (Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, or just the beaches), the Singapore Zoo Night Safari (feed hyenas at 7 p.m.!), or shopping on Orchard Road and Haji Lane's colorful street art.
I always do the Singapore Flyer or a bumboat ride on the river at sunset to see the Merlion and the laser show at Marina Bay. Hawker centers like Lau Pa Sat for satay and laksa are non-negotiable. Singapore is clean, safe, green, and mind-blowingly efficient – it feels like the future we were all promised.
Getting Around
Spectrum and Icon of the Seas dock at the brand-new Marina Bay Cruise Centre (5–10 minutes by taxi to Gardens by the Bay, $15–20), while smaller ships sometimes use the older HarbourFront – both have direct MRT stations underneath. Grab rides are cheap and instant.
A Positively Worded Word of Warning: The famous Singapore rules and efficiency are simply the city's way of giving you the smoothest, safest, most hassle-free day imaginable – embrace the order and you'll have time for three perfect activities instead of one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to get from the cruise terminal to Gardens by the Bay?
Take the MRT from the station directly beneath the Marina Bay Cruise Centre – it's spotless, air-conditioned, and costs just a few dollars. Or grab a taxi/Grab for $15–20 (5–10 minutes).
Is the chili crab worth the price?
Absolutely. Jumbo Seafood and No Signboard are famous for a reason – messy, expensive ($60–80 for two), but genuinely the best seafood experience in Asia.
Can I do both Gardens by the Bay and Sentosa in one day?
Yes, but it's rushed. I recommend picking one for a relaxed experience. Gardens in the morning, then hawker centers and Marina Bay at night is my perfect Singapore day.