A hobby photographer in Wismar, Germany has achieved what many thought impossible when he captured a breathtaking aerial photograph of the massive Disney Adventure cruise ship departing the historic Hanseatic city. Despite challenging weather conditions and rapidly fading daylight, 71-year-old Ulrich Jahr managed to photograph the largest ship ever built in Wismar as it left port on September 1, 2025.
Jahr, who has been publishing aerial photography calendars featuring Wismar since 2014, was determined to include the Disney Adventure in his latest collection. The retired civil engineer knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as no ship of this magnitude would likely grace Wismar's waters again for years to come. His persistence would prove crucial as Mother Nature seemed determined to thwart his plans.
When the Disney Adventure began its departure with tugboat assistance around 6 PM on September 1st, conditions were far from ideal. The sky was overcast, light drizzle was falling, and darkness was rapidly approaching. Jahr initially positioned himself at the Wendorf marina, where his small motorboat "Ingrid" remained docked due to navigation restrictions during the ship's departure. From the boat dock, he watched helplessly as the massive cruise liner began its journey through increasingly poor visibility.
Refusing to give up despite the deteriorating conditions, Jahr quickly drove to Müggenburg airfield where pilot Wilfried Mielke was waiting. The experienced pilot was pessimistic about their chances of capturing quality photographs in such weather, but Jahr, himself a former hobby pilot, insisted they attempt the flight. "I would have kicked myself if I hadn't tried," Jahr later reflected on his determination to seize the moment.
Then fortune smiled upon the determined photographer. As if by divine intervention, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds and the evening sky began to clear. At exactly 7:51 PM, Jahr captured what would become the cover image for his new aerial calendar. Flying in a Cessna 152, they ventured out to the waters near Walfisch Island to get the perfect shot of the Disney Adventure in the shipping channel, bathed in golden evening sunlight with tugboats alongside and the city and shipyard visible in the background.
Jahr emphasized that while he pushes boundaries for the perfect photograph, safety always comes first. "Sometimes you have to test your limits, but never cross them," he explained, making clear that he would never risk his life for a picture, no matter how spectacular the potential result might be.
The new aerial calendar featuring this remarkable photograph has just been released, with the Disney Adventure image serving as both the cover photo and the September entry. The calendar showcases various stunning aerial views of Wismar and surrounding areas, but the Disney Adventure shot stands out as truly unique. Jahr notes that such an opportunity to photograph a ship of this size in Wismar will not present itself again in the foreseeable future.
The calendar is now available at several locations throughout Wismar's old town, including Hugendubel and Peplau bookstores, as well as Quantum Media on Dankwartstraße 10. Customers can purchase the A3 format version for 19 euros or the larger A2 format for 29 euros, making Jahr's persistence and photographic skill accessible to anyone wanting to own a piece of maritime history captured in that perfect moment when determination met opportunity.
