Image Credit: Stephanie Ervin

It’s a big year for the cruise industry, with many new ships coming online.

But it’s also a great new year for cruise ports of call.

Currently, there are more than 1000 ports used by cruise ships.

Many new ports are emerging as hot spots for smart travelers looking for a new and different experience, ranging from Newcastle in Australia to Bangladesh.

Tristan de Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world.

Where is it? It’s midway between Africa and South America.

Also on the list of hot new cruise ports is Hambantota, a port in southern Sri Lanka, and Morondava in Madagascar.

One of the best things about these ports is the shore excursions.

In Madagascar, for example, Morondava is on the seldom-visited western part of the island and is the gateway to see some of more amazing displays of amphibian and reptile species anywhere in the world.

For more information about cruise travel and unique destinations, check out:

• What You Can Expect for Travel in 2018
• Hidden Gems of Ras Al Khaimah
• South Africa’s Eclectic Music Scene

Keep reading for more travel tips.