(ARA) - Imagine sipping chilled wine or cappuccino as you watch the sun set and the sky burst into prisms of color over jagged mountain peaks topped with snow. Reclining in your lush, oversized seat as you begin your journey to Denali, passing through mountains and over rivers as you spot moose, caribou, dall sheep and grizzlies roam the wilderness. Disembarking for an overnight stay in the Talkeetna Lodge with a spectacular view of Mount McKinley in the distance. Doesn't sound like your typical cruise vacation, does it?

Shore excursions for Alaskan cruise ship passengers used to consist of being herded onto busses, driving to crowded tourist destinations nearby, snapping a few rolls of film and - if lucky - spotting a lone moose wandering through town or an eagle soaring overhead. Now, new travel opportunities enable passengers to go beyond the coastline and deep into the interior of Alaska's untamed wilderness on one of North America's truly great scenic railroads.

Formed last year by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, Royal Celebrity Tours' Alaskan Cruisetour programs allow passengers sailing on Gulf of Alaska cruise itineraries to design their own pre- or post-cruise land excursions, ranging from two to six nights, to places such as Alyseka, Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Your journey into the heart of The Last Frontier begins in Seward, where you board Royal Celebrity Tour's Wilderness Express, the world's largest and most accessible double-decker glass-domed rail cars complete with open viewing platforms and ADA-compliant seating, allowing physically-challenged travelers to access both levels of the rail cars.

Unlike other cruise tours, Royal Celebrity Tours balances their itineraries to maximize viewing time onboard the railcars and exploring time outdoors. Cruisetour land packages run the gamut from relaxing to challenging. You can traverse an ice field, kayak past a spectacular glacier, hike deep into a national forest, roam free among majestic wildlife or marvel at Misty Fjords. There's also fishing, golfing, shopping, horseback riding, whitewater raftingthe possibilities are endless.

To enrich the beautiful scenery, Cruisetours are escorted by expert Tour Directors, trained to guide you through every step of your adventure and offer unique insights on the flora and fauna, geology, native culture and history of Alaska. Don't forget to pack plenty of film, because without proof, your family and friends won't believe you when you tell them all the things you saw and did!

"We are thrilled to offer vacationers the opportunity to explore some of Alaska's most stunning and remote areas," explains Bob Stone, vice president of operations for Royal Celebrity Tours. "We are confident that our guests will enjoy our varied itineraries and the 360-degree views offered by our spacious, comfortable glass-domed railcars."

Royal Celebrity Tours' land-and-sea programs begin in May 2001. For additional information or to make reservations, call Royal Caribbean at (800) 327-6770 or Celebrity Cruises at (800) 437-3111, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or www.celebritycruises.com, or contact your travel agent.

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