Sarina Bratton AM has hailed the launch of Australia-owned boutique adventure brand Pearl Expeditions as her “career highlight” as she introduced members of the trade and media to the company’s new brand identity.
At an exclusive event on Thursday evening at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Executive Chair Bratton introduced the new logo and tagline, as well as giving attendees a closer look at vessel Paspaley Pearl, a 30-guest expedition ship, and its new itineraries. “You are the first people to see this,” she said.The logo draws inspiration from the Pinctada maxima pearl shell, symbolising its deep connection to the Kimberley and surrounding regions. “Pinctada maxima is the pearl shell found throughout this region… and where the most beautiful pearls in the world come from,” Bratton explained.
Meanwhile, the tagline – “small footprint, infinite horizons” – reflects Pearl Expeditions’ mission to redefine luxury adventure cruising. “We are serious about minimal impact, providing responsible and sustainable travel – all supported in reality by operating a compact motor yacht with a small number of guests, just 30, rather than needing to manage larger groups.”
Bratton, widely known as the “First Lady of Cruising” in Australia, is no stranger to industry firsts. She helped launch the 800-guest Norwegian Star, then founded Orion Expedition Cruises, bringing luxury expedition cruising to Australian shores with just 100 guests. With Pearl Expeditions, she’s scaling intimacy and experience even further.
“Now we are pioneering boutique expedition operations with just 30 guests and 21 crew,” she said.
Backed by a longstanding partnership with the Paspaley family, the venture is deeply rooted in the regions it explores, including the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, and the Indonesian islands.
And at just 50m, Paspaley Pearl is able to visit lesser-known parts of each destination, in many cases reigniting connections that were made in the days of Orion. “With a little small, 30-guest operation, it’s very, very possible to take guests where you can’t normally take them,” she said.
Demand is already strong, according to Bratton. “We’ve had many former Orion guests sort of hearing along the grapevine that we’re doing things,” she said.
What sets Pearl Expeditions apart is not just its size, but Bratton’s vision of creating a brand that feels like home. “It feels like where you belong. That’s the sense and the feeling that I have,” she shared. “Working with business partners and teams I’ve known for 20 years… it’s so fulfilling.”
Indeed, the Pearl Expeditions team brings together many former colleagues including: Mick Fogg, as General Manager and Head of Sustainability; Sandra Jones, Head of Finance and Administration; Jorge Villa Marin, Operations and Logistics Manager; Nicky Fulsom and Joe Thompson as Expedition Concierges and Trade Support leads; Craig Farrell, heading Trade Support and representing Pearl through La Collection; Chris Perkins, as Chief Marketing Officer; and Michael Corbett, as Communications and PR Lead.
Meanwile, Serge Dansereau has curated Paspaley Pearl‘s modern Australian menus with Southeast Asian influence, with interior design led by Nancy Rinzi, who helped craft the vessel’s welcoming, residential feel.
Far from a mass-market operation, the Pearl Expeditions team is intentionally targeting a tightly curated group of partners. “The size and the style of our business doesn’t lend itself to mass distribution, but rather well-qualified partners,” Bratton said. “Our business plan has… 30 agents that we can work really closely with.”
Pearl Expeditions has now released its Calendar of Expeditions, providing an overview of 25 expedition itineraries, including pricing, for voyages commencing in late July 2025 through to April 2026
