PEARL producer Paspaley has introduced Pearl Expeditions, the brand under which it will proceed with its plan to offer expedition cruising in northern Australia, with ‘first lady of cruising’ Sarina Bratton at the helm. The new wholly Australian-owned venture will operate with the 30-passenger Paspaley Pearl motor yacht (pictured), with...
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PEARL producer Paspaley has introduced Pearl Expeditions, the brand under which it will proceed with its plan to offer expedition cruising in northern Australia, with ‘first lady of cruising’ Sarina Bratton at the helm.
The new wholly Australian-owned venture will operate with the 30-passenger Paspaley Pearl motor yacht (pictured), with 21 crew members on hand, including four dedicated expedition guides.
“Imbued with the relaxed Australian hospitality that will define us, Pearl Expeditions represents a new spirit of exploration, where immersive adventure and elegance converge,” Bratton said.
Paspaley Pearl will set sail on its maiden itinerary in Jul in the Kimberley, with future voyages to explore the coastlines of Papua New Guinea, East Indonesia, Raja Ampat, Borneo and more.
The 53-metre ship will take guests to iconic sights such as King George Falls, Montgomery Reef and the Hunter River along with lesser-known local highlights such as Hidden Island and Hell’s Gate.
Guests will also have the chance to visit one of Paspaley Pearl’s operational pearl farms to see how the company produces its world-famous luxury jewellery.
Paspaley Group Executive Director, James Paspaley, said as a company that has its roots deep in the Kimberley region, he was excited to be able to “leverage the resources and skills of several of our businesses to create the Paspaley Pearl experience.”
Paspaley is also no stranger to land-based hospitality ventures as owners of New York’s Wall Street Hotel, and is about to relaunch the Pinctada Hotel in Broome.
The new Pearl Expeditions venture fills the void left by the unexpected breakdown of an agreement with Ponant to form a joint-venture with Paspaley Pearl last year (CW 06 Nov 2024).
Pearl Expeditions also marks the reuniting of the Paspaley family with Bratton, with the two acting as co-founders of Orion Expedition Cruises, which was eventually sold to Lindblad Expeditions 12 years ago (CW 07 Mar 2013).
More details about specific itineraries, accommodation options, departure ports and expedition dates for 2025 and 2026 will be released via the line’s new website, which will go live in the coming weeks. ML
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