Departure port · Marina Bay Cruise Centre · Singapore
Cruises from Singapore
Singapore is Southeast Asia’s cruise hub, sailing year-round from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, about 20 to 30 minutes from Changi Airport. Short 2- to 5-night getaways to Malaysia and Thailand run all year, while longer voyages to Vietnam, Bali, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia cluster between October and April. It’s a long flight from North America, but the city is clean, safe and easy, with some of the best street food anywhere.
- Southeast & East Asia
- Australia & New Zealand
- Africa & Indian Ocean
- World
Photo: Ramir Borja ., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- Marina Bay Cruise Centre
- Location
- Singapore, Singapore
- Main destinations
- Southeast & East Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Africa & Indian Ocean
- Cruise lines
- 13 lines sail from here
Sailing from Singapore
Singapore’s position at the tip of the Malay Peninsula has made it a crossroads of shipping for two centuries, and today it’s the region’s busiest cruise port. Departures range from quick 2- to 5-night round trips to Penang, Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Phuket, to sea-day-only getaways focused on the ship itself, to 7- to 14-night voyages through Vietnam, Thailand, Borneo and Indonesia. In spring and fall, repositioning cruises link Singapore with Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, India and the Gulf.
Several lines base ships here for long seasons, including Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line sails from Singapore with Disney Adventure. Premium and luxury lines use the city as a start or end point for longer Asia voyages. Much of the short-cruise market is aimed at Singaporean and regional families, so school holidays bring full ships.
For North Americans, the catch is distance: nonstop flights from the US run roughly 15 to 19 hours, among the longest in the world. Once you arrive, though, Singapore is one of the easiest cities in Asia for first-timers, with English widely spoken, excellent public transport and a strong sense of safety.
Where cruises from Singapore go
Southeast & East Asia cruises
November to April for most routes; Singapore-based ships sail year-round
Australia & New Zealand cruises
October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane
Africa & Indian Ocean cruises
November to April for most routes; the Indian Ocean islands also suit expedition voyages from May to November
World cruises
Most depart January and return April or May; segments available throughout.
Cruise lines sailing from Singapore
Marina Bay Cruise Centre cruise terminals
Most large ships use the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) at Marina South, south of the Marina Bay Sands skyline. It’s a large, efficient terminal with dedicated taxi and drop-off areas, and Marina South Pier MRT station is a short walk away. Smaller ships and some regional sailings use the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront, next to the VivoCity mall and the cable car and bridge to Sentosa, with HarbourFront MRT station beneath it. Check your documents for the terminal. Check-in runs on assigned time slots; Singapore’s immigration process is fast and largely automated, but give yourself extra time on weekends, when several ships turn around.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is about 12 miles (20 km) from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or Grab. HarbourFront takes a little longer. The MRT connects Changi with the city, though changes make it clumsy with luggage. Singapore Airlines flies nonstop from several US cities, including the New York area, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, and United flies nonstop from San Francisco; many travelers also connect via Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong or Taipei.
Driving
Few visitors drive in Singapore, where taxis and Grab are plentiful and inexpensive by Western standards. From Changi, the East Coast Parkway (ECP) and Marina Coastal Expressway run straight to Marina South; the Ayer Rajah Expressway serves HarbourFront. Road tolls are collected electronically.
Parking
Both terminals have paid parking, mainly used by local residents. International visitors flying in have no need for a car; taxis, ride-hailing and the MRT cover everything in the city.
Where to stay before a cruise from Singapore
Marina Bay hotels, including Marina Bay Sands, are closest to the main cruise terminal and put Gardens by the Bay on your doorstep. The Downtown Core and the Raffles Hotel area are central and well connected by MRT. Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay along the Singapore River have restaurants and nightlife, while Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam offer more character at gentler prices. For HarbourFront departures, Sentosa’s resorts are a short ride away.
Things to do in Singapore before or after your cruise
- 1
Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay
nature
The giant Supertree Grove lights up for the free Garden Rhapsody show each evening, and two cooled conservatories, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest with its indoor waterfall, are a welcome escape from the heat. Walk the Marina Bay waterfront afterward, or ride up to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark observation deck for the skyline.
- 2
Hawker centres
food
Singapore’s hawker culture is on UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage, and eating at the open-air food courts is essential. Try Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre, satay at Lau Pa Sat in the evening, plus laksa, char kway teow and chili crab. Meals are inexpensive, and locals mark tables with a packet of tissues.
- 3
Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam
culture
Three historic districts show Singapore’s mix of cultures. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and shophouse streets in Chinatown, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and spice shops of Little India, and the golden-domed Sultan Mosque and boutique-lined Haji Lane in Kampong Glam. All are linked by MRT.
- 4
Singapore Botanic Gardens
nature
Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage site is a lush 19th-century garden with rain forest trails, swan lakes and the National Orchid Garden, which displays hundreds of species and hybrids. Go early in the morning, when it’s cooler and locals are out jogging and doing tai chi.
- 5
Night Safari
wildlife
In the Mandai wildlife reserve in the north of the island, the Night Safari lets you see nocturnal animals, from Malayan tigers to pangolins, by tram and on walking trails after dark. It’s a fun first-night activity when jet lag keeps you up. Book ahead, and allow about an hour each way by taxi from the center.
- 6
Jewel Changi Airport
shopping
If you have time before your flight home, the glass-domed Jewel complex at Changi houses the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a terraced forest, gardens, shops and restaurants. It connects to the terminals, and early check-in and baggage services make it a relaxing last stop.
When cruises sail from Singapore
Singapore has sailings every month. The busiest season for international lines is October to April, when ships arrive for Southeast Asia voyages and repositioning cruises. The northeast monsoon, roughly December to March, brings heavier showers, especially in December and January, but cruising continues normally. Short getaways run year-round, and June and December school holidays are the busiest times for family cruises.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8429 | 8530 | 8730 | 8831 | 8831 | 8630 | 8530 | 8630 | 8630 | 8730 | 8530 | 8429 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7625 | 7624 | 7725 | 7926 | 8027 | 7926 | 7926 | 7926 | 7826 | 7926 | 7826 | 7725 |
| Rain in (mm) | 11.6295 | 9.2234 | 10.4265 | 8.7222 | 10.7272 | 9.4240 | 9.1232 | 10.4265 | 9.7247 | 11.1281 | 14.1358 | 13.0331 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Embarkation day tips
- Build in two nights before embarkation. Jet lag from North America is severe, flights are among the world’s longest, and a delayed connection could otherwise cost you the cruise.
- Submit the SG Arrival Card online within the three days before you arrive in Singapore. It’s free on the official government site and app.
- Respect local laws: littering, jaywalking and smoking outside designated areas can bring fines, chewing gum isn’t sold, and pungent durian fruit is banned on public transport.
- Tap a contactless credit card or phone to ride the MRT and buses; there’s no need to buy a separate transit card.
- Plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning and evening. Heat and humidity are intense year-round, and short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Cruises from Singapore: FAQs
Where do cruise ships dock in Singapore?
Most dock at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore in Marina South, near Gardens by the Bay. Smaller ships use the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront, next to VivoCity and the link to Sentosa.
How far is Changi airport from the Singapore cruise terminal?
About 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or Grab to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, slightly longer to HarbourFront. The distance is roughly 12 miles (20 km), and Singapore’s highways are usually free-flowing outside rush hour.
Do Americans need a visa for Singapore?
No visa is needed for a tourist visit. US and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free for short stays, but everyone must submit the free SG Arrival Card online within three days before arrival. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity.
What is the best time to cruise from Singapore?
October to April, when the most international ships sail Southeast Asia itineraries. It rains year-round, with the wettest months usually December and January, but showers are typically short and rarely disrupt cruises.
How many days should I spend in Singapore before a cruise?
Two or three. One day for Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay and a hawker centre, another for Chinatown, Little India and the Botanic Gardens, plus an evening at the Night Safari.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.