C, c

C, c

C. Abr. Celsius. See Celsius scale.
CAA. Civil Aeronautics Authority.
CAB. Civil Aeronautics Board. Absorbed into the DOT (Department of Transportation) in 1985.
cab. 1. A taxi (qv). 2. The driver's compartment of a vehicle.
cabana. Sp. 1. A hotel room which is a separate building, typically near the beach or a pool. 2. A private changing room near a hotel beach or pool.
cabaret. 1. A type of entertainment performed in a club or restaurant, usually small-scale featuring singing and/or comedy sketches. 2. A club or restaurant offering such entertainment.
cabin. 1. The passenger compartment of an airplane. 2. A ship's stateroom. 3. A rustic hotel room separate from the main building.
cabin attendant. 1. A flight attendant (qv). 2. A cabin steward (qv).
cabin steward. A ship's employee responsible for cleaning staterooms.
cable. 1. The heavy metal anchor chain on a ship. 2. Any thick rope used aboard a ship. 3. A text message sent by wire. A telegram.
cable car. 1. A trolley operated by underground cables. 2. An aerial tramway.
cable length. On ships, a distance of 600 feet (100 fathoms).
cablegram. An overseas telegram, specifically one transmitted by undersea cables.
cabotage. 1. Trade between two points in a country, usually prohibited to carriers of another nation. 2. The right to engage in such trade. See also freedom rights.
cabriolet. A one-seat, horse-drawn carriage.
cache. 1. A hiding place for supplies, as on a hiking trip, or any supplies so hidden. 2. Supplies suspended in the air to prevent animals from getting to them.
cachet. Fr. adj. Possessed of charm, allure, or attraction. Enjoying a good reputation.
caddy. A person who carries a golfer's clubs.
cafe. 1. Fr. and Sp. Coffee. 2. A small restaurant serving coffee. Sometimes with outdoor seating, as in "sidewalk cafe."
cafe au lait. Fr. Coffee with milk.
cafe noir. Fr. Black coffee.
CAI. Computer-assisted instruction.
call brand. Any brand of liquor that a customer must ask for by name in a restaurant; as opposed to more generic, less expensive house brands (qv).
call sign. A code identifying a ship's radio.
cambio. Sp. Literally, "change." By extension, a currency exchange bureau.
canal. An artificial inland waterway originally built to connect one body of water with another and allow commercial barge traffic. Now also used for recreational purposes.
canal barge. A vessel designed to carry freight on a canal, now often converted to passenger use for leisure cruising.
cancel. 1. To void, as a reservation. 2. To indicate an item has been processed, as a check.
cancellation clause. In a contract, a provision which allows for cancellation by one of the parties, usually upon payment of a penalty.
cancellation penalty. An amount deducted by a supplier from a refund of prepaid funds when a reservation is cancelled.
canoe. 1. n. A slender oared vessel of Native American origin. 2. v. To travel by or navigate a canoe.
canton. An administrative district in Switzerland or France.
capacity controlled. With limited space or seating at a specific price.
capacity dumping. The airline strategy of adding additional flights to a route in an attempt to drive a competitor out of business or off the route.
capital. The seat of government of a state, province, or country.
capitol. 1. A building housing and symbolizing a seat of government. 2. The decorative portion surmounting a column.
caps. See commission cap.
capstan. A device used aboard ships for winding ropes used in lifting cargo and other heavy weights.
capsule hotel. A Japanese lodging featuring small, coffin-like sleeping compartments. Often found near railway stations and usually accepting men only. Pronounced "capseru hoteru" in Japanese.
captain. 1. The commanding officer on a ship. 2. The pilot of an airplane.
car class. The specific size, style, and rental price of a rental car.
car ferry. A ship transporting automobiles and passengers.
car for hire. Brit. A rental car.
caravan. 1. Brit. A mobile home or van. 2. A group traveling together. Typically, Arab merchants and their camels. 3. By extension, a convoy of vehicles traveling together, especially military vehicles.
card mill. Derogatory term for a travel agency that recruits outside salespeople with the lure of instant travel benefits said to be obtainable with the photo ID card the agency issues.
card-not-present transaction. Payment with a credit card when the customer and merchant are not in the same physical location, such as by mail, fax, or through a web site.
carfare. 1. Money given, as to an employee, to cover the cost of local transportation. 2. The fare charged on a municipal transportation system.
cargo. Freight carried by a ship or airplane.
cargo liner. A ship which transports freight. See also freighter.
carhop. A waiter or waitress at a drive-in restaurant, where people eat in their cars.
Caribbean Basin Initiative. A U.S. government program established in 1983 to promote economic growth in the region through lower tariffs.
carnet. A customs document authorizing the transport of a car or other motor vehicle from one country to another.
carnival. 1. U.S. A traveling show featuring rides, games of chance, and displays of oddities. 2. A celebration preceding Lent, celebrated most prominently in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. 3. By extension, any large party-like outdoor celebration.
carousel. 1. A circular amusement park ride, typically with wooden horses which go up and down. 2. A mechanized device at airports to which passenger baggage is delivered and on which it is displayed while awaiting pickup.
carrier. Any company which transports passengers or freight.
carrying capacity. The maximum number of people a destination can accommodate without endangering the ecology or the supporting infrastructure.
carry-on. A piece of luggage designed to be taken aboard an airplane and fit into the space allotted for such luggage.
carry-on baggage or luggage. Baggage which is carried aboard an airplane by the passenger, as opposed to being checked and carried in the hold.
cartographer. A person who creates maps.
cartography. The art and science of map-making.
CAS. Abr. Computer-assisted selling.
casbah. Traditionally, the old (or "native") quarter of a North African city.
cash advance. An amount given to an employee prior to a trip to cover anticipated cash outlays.
cash bar. An arrangement at a party where guests must pay for their drinks.
cash method. An accounting system in which income and expenses are recorded at the actual time received or disbursed. See also accrual method.
cash stipend. An amount paid by some educational tour operators to tour organizers as compensation for signing up passengers over and above those needed to qualify for a free ticket for the organizer.
cashless cruising. A system in which all purchases made on a cruise ship are signed for, with the bill presented for payment, by cash or credit card, at the end of the cruise.
casino. A gambling establishment offering a variety of gaming choices.
castaway. A person who has been shipwrecked.
casual courier. A person serving as an air courier (qv) on a one-time basis.
category. On a cruise ship, a class of cabin or fare level.
caveat emptor. Lat. Literally, let the buyer beware.
cay. A small island. A term used primarily in the Caribbean and pronounced "key."
CBBG. CRS. Cabin baggage.
CBI. Abr. Computer-based instruction.
CBN. CRS. Cabin (qv).
CCAR. CRS. Compact car.
CCRN. CRS. Credit card return notice.
CCS. CRS. Change segment status.
CCTE. Abr. Certified Corporate Travel Executive.
CCTV. Closed circuit television.
CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CD-ROM. Abr. Compact disc, read-only memory. A high-density storage medium for computer programs and data.
CDT. Central Daylight Time.
CDW. Collision Damage Waiver (qv).
ceiling. 1. The altitude of the lowest clouds. 2. The upper limit of operation of an aircraft. 3. By extension, any limit, as on expenditures.
Celsius scale. The metric scale for measuring temperature in which zero is the freezing point of water and 100 is the boiling point. Used in most countries of the world instead of the Fahrenheit scale (qv).
central reservation office. Location at which reservations are taken for a chain or group of hotels, car rental agencies, etc.
centralization. The process of consolidating certain types of activities or decision making in one place, as opposed to spreading them across corporate divisions or geographical locations.
centralized billing. A system in which a travel agent sends a single bill for travel by several or many people, as when a corporation is billed once for travel by all its employees.
centralized commissions. A system in which a supplier such as a hotel chain sends commission payments from a central office, rather than having individual properties pay commissions separately.
centralized payment plan. See centralized commissions.
CEO. Chief Executive Officer.
certification. A document attesting that a person or organization meets minimum standards or qualifications in a specified area. Usually issued by an organization with recognized expertise in the area.
certified mail. A premium category of mail delivery which provides proof of receipt by the addressee. Notifications required by contract are often sent certified mail, as are airline tickets.
Certified Niche Specialist (CNS). One who has taken a course in the areas of either Mature Adult, Family, or Special Interest Travel administered by the American Society of Travel Agents.
Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). One who has passed a series of rigorous tests of professional competency administered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.
CFCs. Chlorofluorocarbons, chemical compounds found in aerosol spray cans, refrigerators, air conditioners, and styrofoam cups among other products. In their gaseous forms they are said to be responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer (qv).
CFMD. CRS. Confirmed.
CFO. Chief Financial Officer.
CFY. CRS. Clarify.
CH. 1. CRS. Child. 2. Abr. Charter.
CHA. Caribbean Hotel Association.
chain. 1. A group of hotels, or other businesses, sharing a common name and ownership. 2. A group of islands.
chair. 1. n. The gender-neutral version of "chairman." The head of a committee or similar group. 2. v. To head such a group.
chair lift. A motor-driven cable from which hang chair-like seats for passengers. Typically found at ski resorts and used to transport people up steep inclines.
chalet. 1. A style of house associated with the ski regions of Europe. 2. By extension, any accommodation at a ski or mountain resort, especially if detached from the main building.
Chamber of Commerce. An association of businesses in a city, region, or state, devoted in part to promoting the business interests of its members. Chambers of commerce are often active in promoting tourism to their areas.
chambermaid.c In hotels, a woman who cleans the rooms.
change of equipment. A change of aircraft that occurs without a change in the flight number.
change of gauge. See change of equipment.
channel. 1. A designated passage in a harbor, often dredged to allow safe passage of ships. Any navigable ship route. 2. A relatively narrow sea lane between two land masses.
channel-based pricing. A system in which the amount charged for a product or service differs according to the means of delivery. For example, a CRS company might charge airlines a lower per-segment fee to encourage use of a specific electronic booking tool.
charge d'affaires. Fr. A diplomatic rank below ambassador but accredited to the host government. The charge d'affaires often handles embassy business in the ambassador's absence.
chargeback. An amount of money deducted from monies otherwise due a merchant from a credit card company to cover the amount of disallowed charges.
chart. 1. n. A "map" of coastal or open waters, showing depths and hazards, used for navigation. 2. v. To plan, as to chart a course. 3. n. A graphical display of information or statistics.
charter. 1. v. To lease an aircraft or other mode of transport for the use of a group. 2. n. Any craft so used or any trip taken by such means. 3. n. A written document setting forth the governing principles of a group or organization.
chateau. A palatial European residence, sometimes remodeled as a hotel. Sometimes used of a hotel that is built in such a style.
chauffeur. A hired driver, usually of a limousine.
CHD. CRS. Child.
check. v. To place in the care of another, usually a carrier (qv), for retrieval at a later time upon presentation of a receipt, as in "to check luggage."
checked baggage. Baggage which a traveler has given over to the care of the carrier or other responsible party. An important distinction when liability for loss or damage is to be determined. See also unchecked baggage.
checker. 1. A person who receives baggage, coats, or other items to be checked. 2. Cap. A roomy make of New York taxicab, now obsolete.
check-in. A procedure whereby a hotel guest or airline passenger is registered as having arrived. Check-in may require the presentation of payment, reservations, or other documentation or identification.
check-in time. 1. In hotels, the earliest time at which a room will be available. 2. At airline terminals, the latest time at which a passenger may arrive for the flight without risk of losing his seat.
check-out. A procedure whereby a hotel guest formally leaves the hotel and settles his or her bill.
check-out time. In hotels, the latest time a guest may leave without being charged for another night's lodging.
checkpoint. A place on a road or at a terminal at which vehicles or people are stopped for inspection.
chevron setup. In a meeting, an arrangement in which chairs are aligned in a "V" along a central aisle.
child. In the travel industry, a designation used to determine fares and other rates. The precise definition varies from carrier to carrier and hotel to hotel. Generally, a "child" is at least two years old, as opposed to an "infant" (qv) who is younger. The upper limit can be anywhere from 11 to 18 years of age.
chit. A piece of paper or voucher (qv) which can be exchanged for food, drink, or other amenities. A raincheck (qv).
CHNG. CRS. Change.
CHNT. CRS. Change name to.
CHRIE. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.
Christian name. Brit. First name, of a person.
chronological order. Arranged in sequence by time of occurrence.
chronology. A list of events in their order of occurrence.
chronometer. Any instrument that measures time. A watch.
CHTR. CRS. Charter (qv).
Chunnel. Slang. Nickname for the railway tunnel beneath the English Channel linking Britain and France.
churning. The practice of repeatedly making the same booking in a CRS to avoid the 24-hour ticketing deadline.
ciao. It. Word for both hello and good-bye.
CIEE. Council on International Educational Exchange.
Cinco de Mayo. Sp. Fifth of May, Mexican independence day.
circle trip. Any trip that involves more than one destination, returning to the point of departure, as opposed to a "round trip" (qv).
circle trip minimum. The lowest allowable fare for a circle trip, which cannot be less than any round trip fare between any two cities on the itinerary.
circumnavigate. To sail around, as an island or the world.
CIS. Confederation of Independent States (qv).
citadel. A fort in a city used for the city's defense.
CITC. Canadian Institute of Travel Counselors.
city codes. Three-letter codes used to uniquely identify cities and/or their airports.
city pair. In airline bookings, the departure and arrival cities on an itinerary. The number of city pairs served by an airline is sometimes used as a measure of its size.
city terminal. See city ticket office.
city ticket office. An airline sales and ticketing office located anywhere other than the airport.
city-wide. n. In the meetings industry, a convention or event so large that it will use many hotels and multiple venues. Also use as an adjective.
civil aviation. Any flight activity conducted by the private sector, as opposed to military aviation.
civil law. The law regulating non-criminal activities between and among individuals and corporations.
claim check. The receipt or stub, usually numbered, issued to a passenger for his or her luggage.
claim PNR booking. A booking that occurs when a travel agency issues a ticket for a reservation made by the passenger and entered into the CRS by the airline reservationist.
Class I to VI. A classification system used to rate the difficulty of rapids in whitewater rafting (qv). The higher the Roman numeral, the more difficult it is to negotiate the rapid.
class of service. 1. The level of amenities provided in a travel product. 2. A semi-arbitrary division determined by the fare paid, as in the multiple "classes" offered in coach by an airline. 3. An alphanumerical code indicating either (1) or (2), above.
clearance. 1. Permission, as for an airplane to take off. 2. The height of a bridge or overpass. 3. The distance between the highest point on a vessel and a bridge.
CLIA. Cruise Lines International Association.
client. A term used for a customer, usually to indicate an on-going relationship.
climate. The prevailing weather conditions in a geographical region.
close. 1. v. To finalize or complete a sale. 2. v. To ask a closing question (qv). 3. n. Brit. A dead-end street.
closed dates. Dates on which travel or hotel rooms are unavailable due to prior sale or booking.
closing question. Any question that requires the client to make a commitment or decision that leads them closer to making a purchase.
club car. A car on a train serving liquor and refreshments.
club floor. In a hotel, a separate floor providing a higher level of service and security for a premium price. Also called Concierge Floor or Level clustering. In the hotel industry, a business strategy in which a number of properties are located in the same geographic area.
CMP. Abr. 1. Certified Meeting Professional. 2. Complete meeting package.
CNL. CRS. Cancel.
CNS. Abr. Certified Niche Specialist (qv).
coach. 1. The economy class on an airline. Also referred to as "economy" or "tourist." 2. The section of the plane designated for this class of passenger. 3. A motorcoach (qv).
coaching inns. Small hotels, often of historic significance, that were originally stops along a stagecoach route; more common in Europe.
coastal cruise. A journey on a cruise ship that stays close to shore, as opposed to one that visits several islands or crosses significant distances of open water.
COC. CRS. Country of commencement (i.e. where travel begins).
cockpit. The pilot's compartment in a plane.
COD. Abr. Cash on delivery.
code sharing. An agreement whereby airlines permit the use of their CRS code in the flight schedule displays of other airlines.
cog railway. A railway system, usually used on short, very steep grades, in which a series of teeth on the rail mesh with the vehicle to insure traction.
co-host carrier. An airline that pays another to display its flights on a CRS.
COLA. Abr. 1. Cost of living allowance (qv). 2. Cost of living adjustment (qv).
cold call. A sales call to a prospective client with whom you have no prior contact.
cold wave. A period of abnormally cold weather.
collision damage waiver. Daily insurance which covers damage to a rental car.
colors. The flag or ensign flown from the mast or stern of a ship.
COMM. CRS. Commission.
commercial agency. A travel agency that specializes in corporate travel.
commercial airline. An airline that carries passengers.
Commercial Sabre®. Term used to distinguish the full version of the Sabre® CRS from Eaasy Sabre®, a simplified version.
commission. 1. A percentage of a sale price paid to a salesperson as payment for making a sale. 2. An official investigative body. 3. v. To contract for the production of something, as to commission a work of art.
commission cap. The maximum dollar amount an airline, or other supplier, will pay as commission regardless of the actual price of the ticket or the standard commission rate.
commission split. An agreed upon division of commission income between two entities, such as a travel agency and an outside salesperson.
commissionable. Denoting the portion of total cost on which a travel agent can receive a commission.
commode. A portable toilet, usually one containing a removable bed pan or other receptacle.
common carrier. Any company engaged in the transport of people or goods for profit.
common law. Unwritten law which has become generally accepted by the formal legal system through long-standing practice.
Common Market. Obsolete term for the European Economic Community (qv).
common rated. Describing two identical fares to geographically close destinations.
commonwealth. A political entity with representative government. A voluntary association of sovereign states.
commuter. 1. n. A person who travels to work each day. 2. adj. Used to describe short-haul airlines.
comp. Slang. A free ticket or other complimentary extra.
comp rooms. Free rooms provided to a group of hotel guests based on total occupancy by the group.
companionway. A stairway connecting two decks on a ship.
compartment. A distinct section on a railroad car, airplane, ship, or other vehicle.
compass. A magnetic device used to determine direction aboard ship.
computer virus. A malicious and destructive program designed to be passed unwittingly from machine to machine via floppy disks, downloading, or other means.
computerized reservation system. Any of several proprietary computer systems allowing real-time access to airline fares, schedules, and seating availability and offering the capability of booking reservations and generating tickets.
complimentary. Free. Without charge.
concentrated hub. An airport where a single airline controls most of the passenger capacity.
concession. A shop or other place of business within a larger area, such as an airport or cruise ship, which has paid a fee in exchange for exclusivity.
concierge. A hotel employee charged with providing advice and additional services to the guests.
concierge level. See club floor.
Concorde. The supersonic jet jointly developed by Britain and France.
concourse. 1. A public area in an airport. 2. The section of the airport containing the gates.
COND. CRS. Conditional.
conditional fare. A fare which guarantees passage on the next available flight if the flight for which the ticket was purchased is full.
condo. Short for condominium (qv).
condo vacation. A travel product featuring lodging in a condominium (qv), typically one in a resort area, and providing additional amenities such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and so forth.
condominium. A form of ownership of real estate. In travel, generally used to refer to accommodations that are similar to or identical to furnished, private apartments or townhouses and which are available for rent by the day or week. Such properties are frequently rented out when the owner is not present. See also time sharing.
conductor. 1. A railway employee who collects tickets on board. 2. The person nominally in charge of a tour group. 3. The director of a symphony orchestra.
conductor's ticket. On a cruise ship, a free ticket awarded based on the size of a group booking. The ticket can be used by the travel agent who put the group together or given to a person in the group who was instrumental in making the booking happen.
Confederation of Independent States (CIS). The now independent satellite states of the former Soviet Union.
conference center. A hotel-like property designed specifically for hosting conventions and meetings.
confidential tariff. Wholesale rates intended for markup (qv) to retail pricing.
configuration. Arrangement or layout, as of an airplane's interior.
confirmation. The official acceptance of a booking by the supplier.
confirmation number. An alphanumeric code used to identify and document the confirmation of a booking.
confiscate. Take away or seize, as contraband goods.
congress. Another term for convention (qv), used most frequently in Europe.
conjunction tickets. Two or more tickets used on a single itinerary.
connecting flight. A flight that requires a passenger to change from one plane to another. See also connection.
connecting rooms. Hotel rooms which are next to each other and have a connecting door, in addition to the doors which give out onto the hallway or corridor.
connection. A stop on a journey that requires a change of planes or other mode of transportation. See also connecting flight.
consent decree. A legal document whereby the target of a government lawsuit ends the suit by agreeing to take or refrain from specific actions specified in the decree.
consignment. 1. An arrangement whereby a supplier allots merchandise to a retailer who needs pay for it only upon sale. 2. Goods allotted under such an arrangement.
consolidation. 1. A business tactic in which a company concentrates its purchases with fewer suppliers to effect cost savings. 2. The process in which an industry comes to be served by fewer and fewer suppliers as companies merge or succumb to bankruptcy and competitive pressures; the airline industry is a prime example.
consolidator. A company or individual who negotiates bulk contracts (qv) with an airline (or other travel supplier) and sells that space to the general public, usually at a discount.
consortium. A group of companies that enter into a voluntary association to share resources in order to gain a market advantage. In travel, usually used to refer to groups of suppliers that offer higher commissions and other incentives to travel agencies that enter into "preferred supplier" (qv) relationships with them.
construction fare. A round-the-world fare created by a specialist, usually a consolidator, by stitching together a series of one way fares on a number of airlines. See also, alliance fare.
consul. A diplomatic representative of one country to another. The executive in charge of a consulate (qv).
Consular Information Sheet. One of a series of publications of the United States Department of State, providing essential travel information for each of the world's countries.
consulate. A subsidiary office of a foreign government, usually in a location other than the host nation's capital. Consulates typically handle visa applications and other business affairs of the foreign government.
consultant. An expert in a particular field who provides technical and other forms of assistance to companies on a fee basis.
continental breakfast. A breakfast of rolls, fruit and coffee or tea. Often provided on a complimentary basis by hotels and motels.
continental code. International Morse code (qv).
continental plan. A hotel rate that includes a continental breakfast (qv).
contour map. A map showing gradations in altitude.
contraband. Merchandise or substances which are illegal to import or export.
contract. A legal and enforceable agreement between two or more parties.
contract of carriage. The small print on the passenger's coupon of an airline ticket detailing the legal relationship, rights, and liabilities of the passenger and the carrier.
control tower. A central, raised operational center which supervises and directs all traffic into and out of an airport.
CONV. CRS. Convertible (car).
convention. A gathering of professionals or others to discuss matters of common interest.
conventioneer. A person participating in a convention.
conversion. 1. In the hotel industry, the change of a property from one brand to another. 2. The process of switching from one vendor to another. See also convert.
conversion agency. A formerly independent travel agency that has joined a chain. Typically, the conversion agency's name will be changed to or blended with the name of the chain.
conversion payment. A fee paid by a travel agency to a consortium upon joining.
conversion rate. The rate at which one currency is exchanged for another.
convert. v. 1. To switch vendors, as when an agency moves from one CRS to another. 2. To convince a customer to switch vendors.
converter. An electrical device which allows appliances designed for one type of current to be used with another.
convoy. 1. n. A group of ships (or other vehicles) traveling together, usually for purposes of mutual safety or defense. 2. v. To accompany or lead a group of vehicles to assure safe passage.
COO. Abr. Chief Operating Officer.
co-op advertising. An arrangement in which a supplier underwrites a portion of a travel agency's advertising expenses when such advertising features the supplier's products.
cooperative. A group of individuals or organizations that have joined together, usually to increase their buying or negotiating power.
Coordinated Universal Time. A highly precise worldwide time system using atomic clocks. Abbreviated UTC.
cork charge, corkage. A fee charged by a restaurant for opening a bottle of wine, especially one not purchased on the premises.
corporate agency. 1. A travel agency physically located on the premises of a corporation which it services. 2. A travel agency that specializes in corporate clients.
corporate apartment. A condominium owned by a corporation for the exclusive use of its employees and guests.
corporate rate. 1. A lower hotel rate negotiated by a specific corporation for the use of its employees and guests. 2. A rate extended by a hotel to all business travelers.
corporate travel manager. A middle management position. Corporate travel managers are tasked with setting corporate travel policy and standardizing and overseeing all travel by corporate employees on company business. Many corporate travel managers function as in-house travel agents.
cost of living allowance. An additional sum provided to a corporate employee to offset higher prices in certain countries or cities.
cost of living adjustment. The percentage by which Social Security recipients' monthly benefits are increased each year to adjust for increases in the cost of living. Intended to ensure that beneficiaries don't lose purchasing power due to inflation.
cost-reimbursable contractor. A person or company working as an independent contractor for a governmental agency, whose costs, including travel, are reimbursed by the contracting agency.
cot. 1. Abr. Cottage. 2. A small folding bed used to provide additional sleeping space in a hotel room.
coterminous. Sharing a common boundary.
couchette. Fr. A sleeping compartment on a train with up to six beds.
counterfeit. 1. adj. False, forged. 2. n. An illegal copy, as of paper currency.
country of registry. The nation in which a ship's ownership is formally registered. The country of registry need not reflect the nationality of the crew or the cruise area in which the ship operates and is often chosen for tax reasons.
coup d'etat. Fr. The usually quick overthrow of a country's government, typically by assassination or forcible removal from office of the top leaders.
coupon. 1. The portion of an airline ticket collected from the passenger at the time of boarding. 2. A pre-paid voucher (qv) which can be exchanged for certain specified goods or services, as a hotel room. 3. Any printed voucher providing for free or reduced cost services or goods.
coupon broker. A person or company that buys and resells airline frequent flyer awards in contravention of airline regulations.
courier. 1. Any person who accompanies cargo or hand-delivered documents. 2. Brit. A guide or tour escort.
course. The direction in which a ship or plane is headed. Expressed in degrees of the compass.
cover charge. An admission charge, especially to a nightclub or cabaret (qv).
cover letter. A business letter which accompanies other documents or goods and explains the contents and purpose of what is being sent.
CP. CRS. Continental plan (qv).
CPM. Abr. Cost per thousand.
CPU. Abr. Central processing unit. Your computer's "brain."
CR. CRS. Change record.
credit memo. An informal document indicating that one company has a specific dollar amount credit with another, typically as a result of overpayment.
crew. All the members of the staff of a ship, airplane, or other form of transportation.
crew to passenger ratio. The number of passengers on a cruise ship divided by the number of crew members. In theory, the lower the number, the higher the level of service.
CRN. CRS. Cash refund notice.
croak fare. Slang. An airline's bereavement fare (qv) or other fare based on compassionate reasons. The implication is that one has to die to qualify for the fare.
cross-border ticketing. Writing a ticket in such a way that it appears that the travel commences in a different country than is actually the case. Used to take advantage of lower fare structures.
crossing. A cruise journey across an ocean.
Crown Colony. Brit. A colonial territory over which Great Britain still exerts some degree of direct control.
crow's nest. A lookout's station at the top of a ship's highest mast.
CRS. Abr. Computerized reservation system.
CRT. Abr. Cathode ray tube. The screen of a computer.
cruise. In travel, any ocean, river or lake voyage undertaken for pleasure.
cruise broker. Term used for a travel agent or other person who specializes in the sale of last-minute cruise berths.
cruise director. The person on a cruise ship charged with ensuring the enjoyment of all the passengers.
cruise fare. The actual cost of a cruise, excluding any extras, such as port taxes and gratuities.
cruise host. A gentleman recruited by the cruise ship, and usually traveling at a reduced cost, to serve as a dancing and social partner for single ladies on the cruise.
cruise to nowhere. A cruise, typically of short duration and with an emphasis on partying and gambling, with no ports of call.
cruising area. The general geographic location in which a cruise ship operates.
CSM. Abr. Convention services manager.
CSML. CRS. Child's meal.
CST. 1. Abr. Central Standard Time. 2. California Seller of Travel.
CT. CRS. 1. Circle trip (qv). 2. Central time.
CTA. Condominium Travel Associates.
CTC. 1. Abr. Certified Travel Counselor (qv). 2. CRS. Contact.
CTCA. CRS. Contact's address.
CTCB. CRS. Contact's business phone.
CTCH. CRS. Contact's home phone.
CTD. Abr. Corporate Travel Department.
CTG. CRS. Cottage.
CTIP. Coalition for Travel Industry Parity.
CTM. 1. CRS. Circle trip minimum (qv). 2. Abr. Consolidated tour manual.
CTO. CRS. City ticket office (qv).
cultural tourism. Travel to experience the arts or history of a location or travel to immerse oneself in the language, society, or culture of a region.
culture shock. The state of being overwhelmed by the differences in customs and behavior in a foreign place.
curator. The person in charge of one or more of a museum's collections.
curbside check in. A service that allows passengers to check their bags and/or get seat assignments outside a terminal building. Most common at airports.
curfew. A police or military regulation requiring people to be off the streets during a certain period, generally at night.
currency adjustment. A discontinued method of figuring fares in local currency using fare construction units (qv).
currency restriction. Any rule or law imposed by a country to regulate the flow of currency into or out of its territory.
customer-activated ticketing. A vending machine that allows passengers to purchase airline tickets with a credit card.
customs. 1. A government agency which monitors the flow of goods, commodities, and substances into and from its territory and levies fees, fines, and other charges according to posted regulations. 2. The inspection area maintained by such an agency at an airport or other port of entry.
customs declaration. A form completed by an arriving passenger on which are listed the dutiable goods being imported.
customs duty. See duty.
customs user fee. A fee added to international airline tickets to benefit the U.S. customs service.
cut-off date. A date beyond which an offer, fare, request, or availability will no longer apply or be honored.
CV. Abr. Container vessel.
CVB. Abr. Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CVR. Abr. Cockpit voice recorder.
CWGN. CRS. Compact station wagon.
CWO. Abr. Cash with order.
CYBA. Charter Yacht Brokers Association.