The Essential Cruise Shop's Guide to Ponant's Dress Code.

Navigating the dress code for a luxury cruise line like Ponant is key to a comfortable and stylish voyage. With its signature French touch, Ponant’s atmosphere is one of relaxed elegance. This guide will help you pack perfectly for any itinerary, from polar expeditions to sun-drenched Mediterranean escapes.

Daytime Dress Code: What to Wear from Morning to Evening

During the day, comfort and practicality are paramount, with attire varying significantly by destination.

• Polar Expeditions (Arctic & Antarctica): The key is layering. You will need thermal underwear, fleece mid-layers, and waterproof trousers. Ponant provides a complimentary polar parka for you to use during the cruise and take home. Waterproof boots are often available to borrow. Onboard, the ship is warm, so casual trousers and sweaters are perfect.
• Tropical & Caribbean Cruises: Pack light, breathable fabrics. Cotton sundresses, high-quality t-shirts, shorts, and linen trousers are ideal. Don't forget swimwear, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Mediterranean & Northern Europe: Versatility is crucial. Pack layers such as light sweaters, a pashmina or scarf, and a light waterproof jacket. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring historic ports with cobbled streets. A smart pair of trousers or a skirt can easily transition from a day of sightseeing to a casual evening onboard.

General Public Areas (Lounges, Atrium, Cafés)

Inside the ship, the daytime atmosphere is casual and relaxed. Comfortable clothing like trousers, jeans, shorts, and casual tops are perfectly acceptable. The ship is climate-controlled, so having a light sweater or cardigan on hand is always a good idea.

Pool Decks and Outdoor Spaces

Swimwear is appropriate for the pool deck, along with casual resort wear like shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses. A cover-up is essential for walking to and from the pool area through the ship's interior spaces.

Daytime Dining (Main Dining Room & Buffet)

Casual attire is welcome for breakfast and lunch in all dining venues, including the main restaurant and the outdoor grill. However, there are a few simple rules:

• Swimwear must be dry and covered by a t-shirt, dress, or other appropriate cover-up when entering any indoor dining venue.
• Footwear is required in all indoor areas at all times. Bare feet are only acceptable on the pool deck itself.

Evening Dress Codes Explained

After 6:00 PM, the dress code elevates slightly to maintain a sophisticated evening atmosphere. Ponant generally operates on two main evening dress codes.

Casual Chic Evenings

This is the standard dress code for most evenings on board. It strikes a balance between relaxed and refined, ensuring a comfortable yet elegant environment in the restaurants and lounges.

• For Men: Long trousers (chinos, smart jeans, or slacks) paired with a collared shirt, such as a polo shirt or button-down shirt. A sweater or light sports jacket is optional.
• For Women: A dress, skirt and elegant top, or smart trousers/capris with a stylish blouse.

What Not to Wear

For all evening venues after 6 PM, the following items are generally not considered appropriate:

• Shorts
• T-shirts and sportswear
• Flip-flops or plastic pool sliders
• Torn or distressed clothing

Gala Evening

Ponant forgoes the traditional 'Formal Night' for a more contemporary and elegant Gala Evening. These special nights, including the Captain's Welcome Reception, are your chance to dress up without the need for a tuxedo or ball gown.

• For Men: A suit, or a blazer/dinner jacket with smart trousers, is highly encouraged. A tie is optional but adds a nice touch. At a minimum, a collared shirt and smart trousers are expected.
• For Women: A cocktail dress, elegant evening gown, or a sophisticated pantsuit or skirt/blouse combination. This is the perfect time for your favourite jewellery and accessories.

The frequency of Gala Evenings depends on the length of your cruise:

• Cruises of 3-6 nights: Typically 1 Gala Evening.
• Cruises of 7-10 nights: Typically 2 Gala Evenings (often the Captain's Welcome and a Farewell Dinner).
• Cruises of 11 nights or more: Usually 2-3 Gala Evenings. The exact schedule is at the discretion of the Captain and will be announced in your daily program.

Dress Codes by Venue (Evening)

The evening dress code applies uniformly across the ship's main public areas.

• The Main Dining Room(s): Expect the evening's designated dress code (Casual Chic or Gala Evening) to be observed here for dinner.
• Speciality Dining Restaurants: Ponant's ships feature a main gastronomic restaurant and a more casual grill/buffet restaurant. The main restaurant always follows the evening's official dress code.
• The Buffet / Grill Restaurant: The dress code here is more relaxed than in the main restaurant, but shorts and swimwear are still not appropriate for dinner service. Smart casual attire is always a safe bet.
• The Main Theatre or Show Lounge: Guests attend shows before or after dinner, so they will typically be dressed in the evening's suggested attire.
• Bars and Lounges: The Casual Chic dress code is the standard for all indoor bars and lounges after 6 PM.

Common Themed Nights & Special Events

While not extensive, Ponant is famous for one particular themed event:

• The White Party (Soirée Blanche): A signature Ponant event held on many itineraries, especially in warmer climates. Guests are invited to dress in all-white for an evening of music and dancing, often held on the outer decks, weather permitting. Packing an all-white or mostly white outfit is highly recommended.
• Captain's Welcome & Farewell Events: These are the designated Gala Evenings where guests have the opportunity to meet the ship's senior officers and dress more elegantly.

The exact schedule and availability of themed nights can vary by ship and itinerary and will be detailed in the onboard daily program.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ponant Dress Code

Can I wear jeans on Ponant?

Yes, you can wear jeans on Ponant. During the day, all types of jeans are acceptable. In the evening, smart, dark-wash jeans without rips or tears are generally acceptable in all venues on Casual Chic evenings. They are best paired with a collared shirt, polo, or elegant top. For the more elegant Gala Evenings, it is recommended to opt for trousers, slacks, or chinos instead of jeans.

Are shorts allowed in the Main Dining Room in the evening?

No, shorts are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or other restaurants and lounges in the evenings (after 6 PM). While tailored shorts are acceptable during the day, the evening dress code requires long trousers for men.

How many formal nights will be on my cruise?

Ponant does not have 'Formal Nights' in the traditional sense, but hosts more elegant evenings. Typically, on a cruise of 7 nights or longer, you can expect two such events: the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party and the Gala Dinner. On shorter cruises, there may only be one. The dress code for these evenings is 'Elegant', which is a step above the usual Casual Chic.

Do I really need a dinner jacket or a gown for a formal night?

No, a tuxedo or a full-length ball gown is not necessary. For Ponant's Gala Evenings, the dress code is more aligned with upscale resort wear. For men, a dinner jacket or blazer is highly recommended but not strictly mandatory; a collared shirt with smart trousers is acceptable. For women, a cocktail dress, an elegant pantsuit, or a stylish skirt and blouse combination is perfectly appropriate.

What is the dress code for children and teenagers?

The dress code for children and teenagers is generally a more relaxed version of the adult code. During the day, casual wear is fine. In the evenings, they are expected to be smartly dressed, following the 'no shorts in the dining room' rule. For Gala Evenings, a smart shirt and trousers for boys and a nice dress or skirt for girls is encouraged.

Is the dress code strictly enforced?

Ponant maintains a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. While the dress code is not policed with rigid enforcement, guests are respectfully expected to adhere to the guidelines. The crew's focus is on ensuring a comfortable and sophisticated environment for everyone. You are unlikely to be turned away from a venue, but you may feel out of place if dressed too casually in the evening.

Expert Packing Tips for Any Itinerary

A little planning goes a long way. Here are some final tips to ensure you have everything you need.

• For Polar Expeditions: Don't forget wool socks, thermal gloves, a warm hat, and sunglasses (the glare from ice and snow is intense). Binoculars are a must for wildlife spotting from the ship.
• For Tropical Itineraries: Pack reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems, insect repellent for shore excursions, and an underwater camera to capture memories.
• For Mediterranean & Cultural Voyages: A light scarf or shawl is essential for both men and women when visiting religious sites that require covered shoulders. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes will be your best friend.
• For All Cruises: Pack a European-style two-pin plug adapter for your cabin, a portable power bank for charging devices on the go, and any personal medications.

Finally, remember that certain items are prohibited on board for safety reasons. These typically include clothing irons, travel steamers, heating pads, and surge-protected extension leads.

This information is believed to be correct at the time of publishing, however policies can change at short notice, and may vary in their implementation from ship to ship.

For the most current information, please visit the official Ponant website: Ponant Life On Board Information.