The sequined performer belting out show tunes seems to be the cliché of live cruise music. But several boutique cruise lines are offering classical-music-themed trips this year.

Hapag-Lloyd (www.hl-cruises.com) will offer an Ocean Sun Festival from Sept. 14 to 28 on the Europa. Sailing from Hamburg to Barcelona, the cruise will feature the pianist Oleg Maisenberg and the soprano Patricia Petibon, among others. Rates start at $6,860 a person, double occupancy.

Peter Deilmann Cruises (www.deilmann-cruises.com) has a Music Gala at Sea aboard the Deutschland, featuring the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, above. It travels from Hamburg to Monte Carlo, Sept. 18 to Oct. 1; double rates start at $5,610 a person. Other choices include chamber music aboard the Mozart on eight-day cruises down the Danube in April and October and Romantic-era works on an eight-day cruise down the Elbe River on the Dresden, departing June 21.   800-640-4899