Anyone know where the ship (Mariner -- Singapore to Auckland 11/1/06) will dock in Singapore? Also, I'm hoping to use some of my million or so Hilton points for the pre-cruise hotel. Has anyone stayed or been in either the Conrad Centennial Center in Singapore or the Singapore Hilton? The Conrad is probably the nicer hotel, but which is in the better location? (Conrad is near the Marina, Hilton is on Orchard Road).

Peggy: We stayed at the Marriott Singapore using points on the corner of Orchard Rd and I loved the location - we spent two nights and I really enjoyed Singapore -

We just stayed at the Conrad Centennial....fantastic hotel; especially as a Cat 5. We liked the location. It was nice to be away from Orchard Road. Great executive floor with nice lounge. Breakfast and dinner were both wonderful in restaurant downstairs. The hotel arranged a private guide and driver to pick us up at ship, take us on a tour, and then deposit us at hotel. As we took the "Spirit of Singapore" tour the day before through the ship, we just had her take us to the places we hadn't seen.

The Marina location is nice. Birdseye view of the fountain and light show. Short walk to Marina Mall to do a little shopping.

If you want to see more reviews of both the Conrad and the Hilton, go to www.flyertalk.com and go to the Hilton board. There is a recent thread reviewing both hotels.

edited to add:

Here is the url of the Singapore Hilton thread on flyertalk.

Marc and Joanna, thanks for the valuable information. Marc, hopefully we can talk some more about Singapore while we're on ROAR. We'll be there three days, so we'd like the scoop on the best things to do. I'm all excited about our flight over there now. We were able to change our FF award flight from one connecting in LA and Hong Kong (arriving two days after we start) to a direct flight on AA from DFW to Tokyo with just a two hour layover in Tokyo, connecting to Japan Airlines. Yeah, the less time on airplanes and in airports, the better. Now all we have to do is get seats on a flight back from Auckland--wish us luck!

Mariner will be quite a ways from downtown Singapore. The cruise ship and commercial port is @ 25 minutes from downtown by cab. Make sure you do the Night Safari at the zoo. Also, try lunch or dinner at Equinox. It's on the 70th floor of one of the hotels(the round one) downtown. Great views of the city. Take the cable ride to Sentosa as well, but I wouldn't bother touring Sentosa, because it's pretty much a tourist trap. Singapore is a very clean and interesting city. We were at Raffles, but the hotels around Orchard Rd looked very nice. Lots of shopping there, but prices are pretty high.

I second Doug's recommendation to go on the Night Safari! It was great! Singapore is such a beautiful city!

Indeed, Singapore is a beautiful city, closely controlled and safe. Have stayed at Orchard Rd. hotels when I used to get there on business. When staying there on pleasure, being a born romantic, we've stayed at Raffles. I'm enchanted and attracted by the history of the place. It is a bit of a tourist attraction, so crowds can be a concern, but, did a tiger really get into the Billiard room? Singapore Slings are not my thing except at the Long Bar. And, don't overlook the Airport! IMO, the best in the world. And, if you can stay awake, check the ride into town from the airport - carefully designed and constructed to impress visitors (and investors) as they enter the country - it works!

We will be going to Singapore shortly. Does anyone know the name of the hotel that has the Equinor on the 70th floor? It sounds very interesting.

When in Singapore are US dollars accepted or should we get Singapore dollars? Have heard both ways. TA says to get Singapore dollars. She also advised us to get the new Turkish Lira when we went to Turkey. The vendors did not even KNOW the prices in Turkish Lira. They only knew US prices and readily accepted US money. Lost half of the value selling them back so do not want to get caught like that again.

We are going to Raffles and hubby is having a Singapore sling. What is available for a tea-tottler to order?

Anything else we should do in Singapore?

Thanks for any help.

Sunshine

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Welcome to the board, Sunshine!

I can't help you with your question but I am sure someone else will!

Sunshine, We were in Singapore last year and used american dollars everywhere. The shopping on Orchard Road is wonderful and in India town there are some good buys on semi precious jewelry. We also had a great dinner in India town. The night zoo is fun, Thian Hock Keng Temple is beautiful and china town was interesting. We stayed at Raffles and it is quite a hotel. Hope you enjoy Singapore and all it has to offer.
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Doris

Thanks Karen and D n A. I did go and get some Singapore dollars just in case, but TA said to have nice crisp $1.00 for tips. I guess they do not like old wrinkled bills.

Can't wait to get there. It is going to be very hot and humid.

Sunshine

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Has anyone stayed in a Courtyard Suite at Raffles? I am staying for one night as the 3rd person in my parents' room. How crowded will we be?? I get in at 1 a.m. and I am wondering if I will be able to sneak in the room without waking them. :)

Ahh, I just asked where you were staying in another post. Can't answer your questions, but at least we now know where you're staying ;) .

Sheri; Lynn and I stayed in a courtyard suite at Raffles prior to our 2 legs of the 2005 WC. There is a lounge area as you enter(kind of a sitting room/dining area; there is a couch there and it's separate from the bedroom by a wall ), then a very large bedroom, then a very large bathroom(actually 2 rooms; one with double sinks and one with the tub, separate shower and comode). Don't know how they would arrange it for 3 people, but there's certainly plenty of room to do it. You'll really enjoy Raffles; it's a great old hotel. The service is excellent.

Thanks Doug and Lynn! I am excited!! It sounds like I will be able to "set up shop" without being too disruptive to my parents!

Peggy, I hear the thing to do is have a Singapore Sling at the bar in Raffles. Perhaps we can meet one evening for a cocktail if you aren't too busy.