Paul Gauguin Cruises Dress Code: Essential 2025 Guide
In This Guide
- Introduction
- Daytime Dress Code: What to Wear
- Evening Dress Codes Explained
- Sourcing Your Formal Wear
- Dress Codes by Venue (Evening)
- Common Themed Nights & Special Events
- Expert Packing Tips for Any Itinerary
- Sample 7-Night Packing Checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Additional Resources
- Disclaimer
- Affiliate Disclosure
Introduction
Welcome to your essential 2025 guide to the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code. Sailing with Paul Gauguin Cruises offers an intimate, luxurious journey through the stunning islands of the South Pacific. The onboard atmosphere is famously relaxed yet elegant, reflecting a sophisticated “luxury resort” or “country club” style rather than old-fashioned, rigid formality.
If you are wondering what to pack, what to wear in the evenings, or whether you need anything close to a tuxedo or ball gown, this guide is for you. The Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code is refreshingly simple, especially compared with larger cruise lines, and once you understand the basics you can pack light, feel comfortable, and still look perfectly appropriate for every venue onboard.
In this article, The Essential Cruise Shop Blog walks you step by step through daytime clothing, evening Elegant Resort Attire, theme nights, and practical packing tips. By the end, you will know exactly what belongs in your suitcase and what can safely stay at home.
Daytime Dress Code: What to Wear from Morning to Evening
From breakfast until the early evening, the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code is casual, comfortable, and very much geared to its warm-weather itineraries. The ship sails almost exclusively in tropical regions such as French Polynesia, so lightweight, breathable fabrics are your best friend. Think linen, cotton, bamboo, and high-quality activewear that dry quickly and keep you cool.
- Warm-Weather Sailings (South Pacific): Lightweight shorts, sundresses, skirts, polo shirts, t-shirts, and resort shirts are all perfectly acceptable. Sleeveless tops and casual beachwear are fine in open-deck areas. You will also want swimwear, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen for time spent outdoors and on the line’s private beach or motu.
- Pool Decks: Swimwear is standard around the pool and on the marina platform, but you must wear a cover-up or shirt and footwear when entering any indoor venue. Bare feet and wet swimwear are not permitted in any of the ship’s restaurants or lounges. A light kaftan, sarong, or t-shirt dress works perfectly for moving between deck and buffet.
- Indoor Venues (Day): Casual attire is fine for all lounges, cafes, and daytime dining. Comfortable sandals or deck shoes are ideal on board, and trainers are great for excursions. The ship is air-conditioned, so packing a light cardigan, wrap, or linen shirt to throw over your shoulders is a very good idea.
- Excursions and Adventures: For active excursions, choose moisture-wicking shorts, t-shirts, rash vests, and water-friendly shoes. If you plan on hiking, bring closed-toe trainers or walking shoes and a light packable rain jacket.
As long as your daytime clothing is clean, casual, and beach-resort appropriate, you will have no issues with the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code during the day.
Evening Dress Codes Explained
Starting at 6:00 PM, the dress code across the ship transitions to Elegant Resort Attire. This single, simple code applies every evening, making packing wonderfully straightforward. It strikes the perfect balance between being comfortable and honouring the ship’s sophisticated setting.
Here is what Elegant Resort Attire means in practice for the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code:
- For Women: Dresses, skirts, or elegant slacks or capris with a nice blouse or top all work well. A simple jersey dress, a linen shift, or a smart jumpsuit can be dressed up with jewellery or a lightweight wrap. Wedge sandals or elegant flat sandals are more practical than high stilettos on a moving ship.
- For Men: Trousers or slacks (such as chinos or linen trousers) paired with a collared shirt (a polo shirt or button-down shirt is fine). A sport coat or blazer is optional and rarely needed in the warm climate, and ties are not necessary. Many guests are perfectly dressed in chinos plus a short-sleeved collared shirt.
After 6:00 PM, items like shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, swimwear, and baseball caps are not considered appropriate for the restaurants and lounges. You can still be relaxed and comfortable, but you should look more like you are going to a nice resort restaurant than to the beach.
Frequency of “Formal” Nights
Paul Gauguin Cruises does not have any traditional formal nights. You will not need a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or evening gown on any sailing. Every evening on every cruise, regardless of duration, follows the same Elegant Resort Attire standard.
This is one of the main reasons many guests love the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code. You can dress consistently each evening without worrying whether you have packed the right level of formality for one particular night.
Sourcing Your Formal Wear
While Paul Gauguin Cruises does not have “formal” nights, you will still want to pack for the nightly Elegant Resort Attire code. These tips can help you find stylish resort wear, like sundresses, linen shirts, and smart slacks, without a high price tag.
- Clothing Rental Services: Services like Rent the Runway (in the US) or similar UK-based companies offer designer resort wear for a fraction of the retail cost. This can be ideal if you want a fresh wardrobe for your cruise without buying lots of new outfits.
- Charity or Second-Hand Shops: You can often find high-quality, pre-owned dresses, blouses, and smart trousers in affluent areas. Look for breathable fabrics and classic cuts that will not date quickly in your photographs.
- Outlet Stores: Designer outlets are a great place to find off-season resort wear or classic pieces like linen shirts and chinos at a deep discount. Neutral colours can be mixed and matched easily so you need fewer pieces overall.
For more ideas, we invite you to visit our blog to see The Essential Cruise Shop Blog’s clothing suppliers partners for a directory of online stores.
Dress Codes by Venue (Evening)
The Elegant Resort Attire code is consistently applied across all of the ship’s dining venues and lounges after 6:00 PM. There is no need to change for different restaurants, which keeps the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code very simple to follow.
- Main Dining Room (L’Etoile): Elegant Resort Attire is expected, with most guests choosing smart-casual dresses, trousers and shirts, or similar. This is the most traditionally “dining room” setting on the ship, so aim for your slightly dressier evening outfits here.
- Speciality Restaurants (La Veranda): This venue transforms into an elegant bistro for dinner and follows the Elegant Resort Attire code. A breezy dress or linen trousers and a smart top are ideal.
- Buffet (Le Grill): For its more casual, al fresco dinner service, Le Grill also observes the Elegant Resort Attire standard. It may feel more relaxed due to the open-air setting, but the same no-shorts, no flip-flops rule applies.
- Theatres & Lounges (Grand Salon, La Palette): The attire you wear to dinner is perfectly appropriate for the evening entertainment and for enjoying a drink in the lounges, so there is no need to change again after dinner.
Common Themed Nights & Special Events
While formal nights are off the table, Paul Gauguin embraces the local culture with special events. The availability of theme nights can vary by itinerary, but one is a celebrated tradition and fits easily within the overall Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code.
- Polynesian Night: This is the main event on most sailings. Many guests choose to wear tropical attire, such as a floral shirt, pareo, or bright island-style dress, to celebrate the local culture. The evening often features a special menu and a wonderful performance by local Tahitian entertainers. A colourful flower clip or lei can instantly transform a simple outfit into something festive while still respecting Elegant Resort Attire guidelines.
If you enjoy dressing for a theme, you may want to pack one or two extra brightly coloured outfits or accessories that you can mix with your existing evening wear.
Expert Packing Tips for Any Itinerary
Packing for a Paul Gauguin cruise is all about preparing for a chic, tropical getaway while keeping the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code in mind. Aim for light, versatile pieces you can mix and match so you can travel with fewer items but more complete outfits.
- Pack multiple swimsuits: You will likely spend a lot of time in the water, so having at least two or three swimsuits means you can always wear a dry one while another is drying.
- Bring water shoes: These are essential for exploring rocky beaches, walking on coral, or climbing in and out of zodiacs and tenders.
- Do not forget reef-safe sunscreen: Protect your skin and the delicate coral ecosystems by choosing a reef-safe brand. Many destinations now strongly encourage or require this.
- Add insect repellent: While not a major issue on the ship, it is very useful for shore excursions, especially in the evenings or on jungle treks.
- An underwater camera is a must: The marine life in the South Pacific is world-class, and you will want to capture it. A simple waterproof phone case or action camera can be enough.
- Think lightweight: Pack clothes made of linen, cotton, and other breathable, quick-drying fabrics. Avoid heavy denim, thick sweatshirts, or bulky coats.
- Accessorise smartly: A small collection of jewellery, scarves, or belts can change the look of a simple dress or shirt so you can re-wear pieces without feeling repetitive.
- Plan outfits ahead: Lay out what you will wear each evening, ensuring every piece fits the Elegant Resort Attire guidelines. This helps prevent overpacking and last-minute uncertainty.
Finally, remember that items like clothing irons, travel steamers, and surge-protected extension leads are prohibited onboard. A hairdryer is provided in every stateroom. To reduce creasing, roll your clothes rather than folding them, or use packing cubes.
Sample 7-Night Packing Checklist
To make the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code even easier to follow, here is a simple example of what one couple might pack for a 7-night cruise.
For Each Adult
- 3–4 casual daytime outfits (shorts and tops or sundresses)
- 2–3 swimsuits plus 1–2 cover-ups or kaftans
- 3–4 evening outfits that meet Elegant Resort Attire (mix-and-match trousers, skirts, dresses, shirts, and tops)
- 1 tropical or brightly coloured outfit or accessory for Polynesian Night
- 1 lightweight cardigan, wrap, or long-sleeved shirt for cooler evenings or air-conditioned venues
- 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes or trainers for excursions
- 1 pair of sandals or deck shoes for daytime wear
- 1 pair of slightly dressier sandals or loafers for evening
- Underwear, sleepwear, and socks as required
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses, and insect repellent
- Water shoes and an optional lightweight rain jacket
You can adjust the quantities depending on how often you plan to change during the day and whether you prefer to re-wear outfits. The key is to ensure every evening look aligns with the overall Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code while remaining comfortable in the tropical climate.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Paul Gauguin Cruises Dress Code
Can I wear jeans on Paul Gauguin Cruises?
During the day, jeans are acceptable if they are comfortable in the warm climate. However, for the evening Elegant Resort Attire code, jeans are discouraged in the restaurants and lounges. While smart, dark jeans might be overlooked, it is best to opt for slacks or chinos to align with the ship’s elegant ambiance.
Are shorts allowed in the Main Dining Room in the evening?
No, shorts are not permitted in any restaurant or lounge for dinner. The evening dress code, starting at 6:00 PM, specifically excludes shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. Tailored trousers, skirts, or dresses are more appropriate choices.
How many formal nights will there be?
Zero. Paul Gauguin Cruises does not have any traditional “Formal Nights.” Every evening follows the Elegant Resort Attire dress code, so you do not need to pack a tuxedo or gown.
Do I really need a dinner jacket or a gown?
No. Since there are no formal nights, a dinner jacket, tuxedo, or evening gown is not required. A collared shirt and slacks for men, and a dress, skirt, or elegant trousers for women, are perfect.
What is the dress code for children and teenagers?
The dress code applies to all guests. Children and teenagers are expected to follow the Elegant Resort Attire guidelines when dining with their families in the restaurants and lounges in the evening. Smart shorts may sometimes be seen on younger children, but it is safer to plan for lightweight trousers or casual dresses.
Is the dress code strictly enforced?
Yes, the evening dress code is generally and politely enforced, especially in the main dining venues. This is done to maintain the ship’s sophisticated and elegant atmosphere for all guests. If you are unsure about an outfit, choose the slightly smarter option and you will have no issues.
Can I stay in casual clothes if I skip the dining room?
If you remain on deck or in your stateroom, casual clothing is generally fine. However, as soon as you enter the lounges, Grand Salon, or any restaurant after 6:00 PM, you should be in Elegant Resort Attire to comply fully with the Paul Gauguin Cruises dress code.
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Disclaimer
The Essential Cruise Shop Blog provides this guide for informational purposes and is not a travel agency. The information contained in this guide is for general guidance only. While we do our best to ensure the information is up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind about its completeness or accuracy.
Cruise line policies, including dress codes, are subject to change without notice. We strongly recommend that you verify all details directly with your cruise line or a certified travel agent before making any bookings or financial commitments.
We cannot be held liable for any financial loss due to the reader’s failure to follow the above advice.
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