Costa Cruises integrates WeChat on Chinese sailing

Costa Cruises is to launch a WeChat Mini Program onboard its fleet in China. Passengers can use the leading Chinese online social communication platform to make mobile payments and book onboard experiences like restaurants and spa sessions on Costa Atlantica, … Continue reading →

Costa Cruises is to launch a WeChat Mini Program onboard its fleet in China.

Passengers can use the leading Chinese online social communication platform to make mobile payments and book onboard experiences like restaurants and spa sessions on Costa Atlantica, from September 2.

WeChat (also known as Weixin in China) is an all-purpose app used for instant messaging and payment across China. It has more than 963 million monthly active users.

Costa Cruises, one of the ten Carnival Corporation brands, is claiming a first in the cruise industry by integrating WeChat.

The Mini Program allows WeChat users to open and access WeChat services without downloading the full standalone mobile app.

“As a pioneer in the Chinese cruise industry, Costa Cruises constantly innovates to enhance the guest experience,” said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Group Asia. “With China being one of the world’s leaders in mobile and digital advancements, we see great potential in leveraging WeChat’s leading position and technologies to not only facilitate hassle-free payment, but also provide a more immersive and digitized onboard experience for our guests.”

Costa Cruises operates year-round in China and has provided cruise vacations for over two million Chinese guests since 2006.