foreign travel

traveling to neighboring countries? i just saw this blurb this morning:

"Last week, President Bush signed an amendment to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that delays the requirement that all U.S. travelers to Canada, Mexico and most Caribbean countries have a passport beginning Jan. 8, 2007. Under the revised regulations, only air travelers will need to hold a passport by that date; cruise travelers and those crossing by land will not be required to show a passport until June 1, 2009." http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=375729&GT1=8709

so i went to the government website to confirm and here's what's officially said:

"On January 8, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries." http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

(i added green color for emphasis.) i think i will follow the official version.