The U.S. House and Senate passed the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which entitles cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda via a cruise not to be required to show a passport until June 1, 2009.

This according to a provision inserted into the Homeland Security Department appropriations bill H.R.5441, extending the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

The bill was passed on September 29, 2006 and the President of the United States of America, Mr. Bush is expected to sign it into law.

The requirements for travelers still into effect pending legislation:

All travelers traveling by air to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada need have a passport by Jan. 1, 2008 or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

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