Optional Pre-Cruise Package: Singapore

January 4–7 // 2025

Join the Purdue President’s Council for a three-night pre-cruise package in Singapore, a vibrant city-state where modernity seamlessly blends with tradition. From its iconic skyline punctuated by towering skyscrapers to its lush green spaces and bustling street markets, Singapore offers a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and flavors waiting to be explored.

Inclusions:

  •  Three nights at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach in a Club Deluxe Room featuring Executive Lounge access with breakfast, afternoon tea, evening canapés and cocktails, and free Wi-Fi
  • Visit the Gardens by the Bay including the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome
  • Explore the famous Hawker Center, Lau Pa Sat, with free time for lunch in the diverse food center
  • Sunset visit to the Skypark Observation Deck at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
  • Architecture and Culture Tour including the Public Housing, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and Little India
  • Night Safari to the world’s first open-concept nocturnal zoo to see animals in their natural habitat
  • All sightseeing with experienced, English-speaking local guides and transportation
  • Arrival transfers from the airport to hotel and hotel to ship
  • Gratuities for local guides and drivers
  • All service charges, taxes, and porterage
  • Purdue President’s Council and Global Tracks pre-cruise staff

Itinerary:

Saturday, January 4, 2025 // Arrive Singapore

WELCOME TO SINGAPORE! Upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), you will be met by a local representative and transferred to the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, approximately a 20-minute drive.

JW MARRIOTT SINGAPORE SOUTH BEACH

Artfully balancing heritage and contemporary style, our hotel offers enriching experiences and unrivaled luxury in the vibrant city center. Find respite in immaculately appointed accommodations, delight your palate with sophisticated fare at one of the stylish restaurants, and sip creative cocktails at the onsite chic bars. Stay within moments of Suntec City near Central Business District and Marina Bay. Additional features include a signature spa, scenic sky gardens, and infinity pools.

Club Deluxe Rooms offer exclusive access to the Executive Lounge complete with complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening canapés and cocktails. Well-appointed, each Club Deluxe Guest Room features a king bed, work desk, large marble bathroom with deep-soak bathtub, and free Wi-Fi.

Check-in time is 3:00 pm. The hotel will do its best to accommodate early arrivals; however, early check-in cannot be guaranteed. If you prefer immediate access to your room, it is suggested to book the night prior.

Join fellow travelers this evening in the Executive Lounge at the hotel for canapés and cocktails.

Overnight JW Marriott Singapore South Beach

Enjoy breakfast in the Executive Lounge.

GARDENS BY THE BAY

After breakfast, meet our English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby to begin a full-day tour of Singapore. Begin at the colorful and futuristic Gardens by the Bay which offers a unique experience with its stunning blend of nature and cutting-edge architecture. Stroll in the Supertree Grove which houses 18 towers with sustainable vertical gardens and walk the aerial walkway of the Observatory for breathtaking views.

Continue to the Flower Dome which is the largest glass greenhouse, the size of 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools and covered with 3,332 glass panels, showcasing the world’s flora under one roof.

Visit the Cloud Forest, a controlled dome with spiraling walkways, known for its towering 115-feet tall indoor waterfall and a lush mountain covered with diverse plant life from around the world. The morning’s eco-tourism visit is an appreciation of garden artistry, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity conservation.

HAWKER CENTER

The hawker culture is an indispensable pillar of the Singapore way of life. Visit the famous Lau Pa Sat, a popular open-air food center in Singapore located in the heart of the Central Business District. Built in the 19th century, it is known for its distinctive octagonal shape and Victorian-style cast-iron structure. Stroll through to delight in the sites and smell of the wide variety of local and international cuisine to enjoy lunch at leisure (at your own expense). Some popular dishes include Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, laksa, noodles, dumplings, satay, and rice pudding with coconut milk.

Return to the hotel for time at leisure.

MARINA BAY SANDS SKYPARK

Early evening visit the most iconic landmark, the Marina Bay Sands. The luxury hotel has three towers connected by a rooftop SkyPark. The Skypark Observation Deck, located 56 floors above the city, is best visited at sunset offering panoramic views of Singapore’s world-class cityscape and its twinkling lights.

Enjoy free time to independently explore the many restaurants, bars, shopping mall, casino, or return to the hotel for an evening of leisure.

Overnight JW Marriott Singapore South Beach (B)

Enjoy breakfast in the Executive Lounge.

PUBLIC HOUSING TOUR

After breakfast, meet our English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby to begin a full-day tour discovering the diverse architecture and cultures of Singapore. Public housing estates are where more than 80% of the population live in Singapore. Begin with a visit to the Singapore City Gallery, an interactive exhibition space that showcases how Singapore became the smart, green, and livable city it is today.

Continue to the Pinnacle@Duxton, a groundbreaking 50-story public housing development where we will be treated to magnificent views of the city from the sky deck. The tallest public residential development in the country, the project consists of seven connected towers with a total of 1,848 apartments. Learn about local culture and how the majority of Singaporeans live, work, play and learn.

CULTURES OF SINGAPORE & ETHNIC NEIGHBORHOODS

After a look at modern Singapore, head to nearby Chinatown town for a glimpse of the city’s past. Singapore’s Chinatown is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood known for its rich history, colorful architecture, and with a maze of narrow streets offering souvenir shops and boutiques, with crafts and antiques, and delicious street food, which we can sample at the Chinatown Food Street. Enjoy lunch on your own.

At Kampong Glam, the Muslim quarter, admire the Sultan’s Mosque with its unmistakable golden dome, explore colorful food eateries, and browse through old-fashioned shops selling batiks, carpets, rattan basket-ware, and exotic perfumes. Take the opportunity to try ‘Teh Halia,’ which is Malay for ginger tea, in one of the shops. This slightly spicy and sweet drink is served in traditional coffee shops in Singapore and Malaysia.

Travel next to Little India where we will see bustling streets showcasing aromatic and exotic spices, colorful flower shops, vegetable vendors, busy curry houses, and even henna painting! We will stop for a visit to Tekka Centre. This Little India landmark is a marketplace where different ethnic communities congregate. There, we will observe traditional roti prata flipping – a fried flatbread cooked over a flat grill – in one of the shops.

Return to the hotel to rest before this evening’s adventure!

NIGHT SAFARI

As dusk falls over the tropical rainforest, the animals come alive at the world’s first open-concept nocturnal zoo. Experience the thrill of exploring the jungle as you get up close with the animals, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers, in their natural habitat enhanced by subtle moonglow lighting.

Begin our journey with a tram ride up close with the animals. The guided tram leads you through 8 geographical regions designed after the habitats of the African savannah, Himalayan foothills, and jungles of Southeast Asia.

Your visit to the Night Safari isn’t complete without catching the fascinating and entertaining shows, featuring the all-star cast of nocturnal animals. Also, don’t miss the chance to pose up close with a serval, owl, or snake at the Animal Photography sessions. The Night Safari is an after-dark wildlife adventure that is truly one-of-a-kind!

Return to the hotel.

Overnight JW Marriott Singapore South Beach (B)

Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast in the hotel’s Executive Lounge.

DEPART HOTEL

Check out and meet in the lobby for a group transfer to the Silversea Silver Whisper. Enjoy lunch onboard as we begin our Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise.

(B)