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» Discourse Analysis Guide
The way in which we think, write and talk about the coast has important implications for the way in which it is understood and subsequently governed. While language may be thought of as mere semantics, discourse theory highlights the importance of understanding the ideological work that language does (Fairclough, 1992).
Language therefore serves to construct and organise rather than directly reflect social reality, with the importance of this illustrated in the view that "It makes no sense to consider the 'objects' or targets of policy as existing independently of the way in which they are spoken about or represented either in political debate or policy proposals. Any description of an issue or a 'problem' is an interpretation, and interpretations involve judgment and choices" (Bacchi, 1999).
This does not mean that words are the only things that matter: instead, language is the way in which humans make sense of the world.
This is succinctly expressed in the view that "While real problems exist, our interaction with them can only ever be through culturally constructed lens – meaning that we can never know nature except through the interpretive mechanism of culture, which means that all perspectives are partial and contestable" (Dryzek, 1997).
Analysing texts (written, spoken, visual) and practices therefore provides a means for examining knowledge relations, dealing with issues such as the representation of reality, relationships and identities. Discourse analysis is useful in uncovering:
The framing of issues, people & relationships (e.g. what is considered as useful knowledge).
How the uptake of concepts & practices occurs.
Bacchi, C. 1999. Women, Policy and Politics: The Construction of Policy Problems. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Dryzek, J. 1997. The Politics of the Earth: Environmental Discourses. Oxford: Oxford. University Press
Fairclough, N. 1992. Discourse and Social Change. Cambridge.
References for Discourse Analysis Guide
Coffey, B.., & O'Toole K.. (2013). Towards an Improved Understanding of Knowledge Dynamics in Integrated Coastal Zone Management: A Knowledge Systems Framework. Conservation and Society. 10(4),
Haward, M.., & O'Toole K.. (2014). Discourse Analysis Guide. (849.08 KB)
Nursey-Bray, M.., O'Toole K.., Haward M.., Vince J.., Smith T.F.., Scott M.., et al. (2014). Science into policy? Discourse, coastal management and knowledge. Environmental Science & Policy. 38, 107-119.
Contacts for Discourse Analysis Guide
Key Researcher
Dr Melissa Nursey-Bray
Geoff Wescott
Jan Shaw
Emily Ogier
Joanna Vince
Lorne Kriwoken
Peat Leith
Tom Baxter
Kevin O'Toole
Associate Professor, School of School of Humanities and Social Sciences
kevin.otoole@deakin.edu.au
Marcus Haward
Marcus.Haward@utas.edu.au


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Address: 435 North Bedford Drive #408, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | Phone: 1.424.282.3780
Noelle Galstian is a Speech and Language Pathologist with a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Masters of Science in Communication Disorders from the California State University Northridge (CSUN). She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the States of California and Nevada.
Noelle began her career working in the General & Stuttering Clinics at CSUN. She went on to complete her internship at the Glendale Unified School District and her externship at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Noelle ultimately completed her fellowship in a private practice setting in West Los Angeles, before opening her own practice in 2008.
Given her training and experience, Noelle cares for patients with voice disorders that affect both children and adults. With respect to children, she evaluates and treats articulation disorders, voice disorders, social communication disorders (pragmatics), expressive and receptive language disorders, memory difficulties, and stuttering/fluency. With respect to adults, Noelle evaluates and treats voice disorders, aphasia, dysphagia (swallowing disorders), cognitive deficits, and stuttering/fluency. She has specialty training in the evaluation and treatment of voice disorders.
Noelle is always up-to-date with the latest advances in the field of speech and language pathology by participating in continuing medical education programs.
435 North Bedford Drive
Website Development by Once Interactive.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Behold the power of skin-resurfacing treatments. From lasers that lift pigmentation and soften skin texture to microdermabrasion and chemical peels, which exfoliate away the top layers of skin, there's nothing quite like a resurfacing treatment.
For about 10 minutes, the top, outermost layers of skin are gently and safely abraded layer by layer with a specially designed razor-like head that can be dialed up or dialed down depending on how aggressive the treatment needs to be. At the same time, skin is infused with the brand's proprietary serums. By removing dead surface skin, skin is prepped to better receive what's to come in step two.
Tiny, 0.25 millimeter needles are rolled across the skin with a flow of serums. The company calls it "wet micro-protrusion," which is essentially microneedling with the addition of a wet component (here, it's the use of serums). According to Serge Castro, CEO of MIRAMed, the company that makes MIRApeel, the tiny needles are effective because the tip gently glides over skin while firmly "adhering" to it thanks to vacuum power.
Two LED lights are used on the skin to allow it to calm down, followed by a soothing bio-cellulose face and décolleté mask.
Although six to eight weekly sessions followed by quarterly maintenance are recommended to see maximum results, the wet microneedles is the major point of distinction here. "There's an immediate 'MIRAwow' effect—that's what we call it. There's also no blood and no pain with the procedure," says Castro. "Skin will be glowy and refreshed and boasts a beautiful new appearance directly after the treatment." Ideal for correcting pretty much anything from dry skin and age spots to acne scars and textural issues, and even premature aging, MIRApeel, which was developed in Germany and has a huge following in Europe with dermatologists, is quickly making its mark. Think of this as the next generation of microneedling.


The former personal attorney of US President Donald Trump is urging Americans to vote in the upcoming midterm elections after re-registering himself as a Democrat.
The former deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) has recently been distancing himself from policies adopted in Trump's White House.
Trump's longtime fixer has also pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud apart from campaign finance law violations.
He made payments during the 2016 campaign to two women – film actress Stormy Daniels and former model Karen McDougal – to keep them from speaking publicly about affairs they had with Trump.
His plea for voter turnout comes days after his lawyer confirmed that he has become a Democrat.
Cohen has reportedly met with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, tasked with investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as well as possible collusion between Trump and the Kremlin.


Anyone who spends the time (several hours) required to complete the online questionnaire about the proposed tenancy reform will soon see how out of touch the current Housing Minister is from actual issues involved with tenancy law.
The biggest issue is unpaid rent, which comprised 72 percent of total applications to the Tenancy Tribunal over the 2017-18 financial year. There were no questions on better managing unpaid rent. Damage to rental property is the next big issue. Again, no questions.
Some questions were so poorly phrased that a rational response was not possible. For instance, a response on the penalty for failing to comply with an improvement notice is sought without reference to the nature of the required improvement. Any dollar amount could only be plucked out of the thin air.
The proposed reform says it wants to balance the rights and obligations between owners and tenants but the actual proposals would make arrangements that are already biased against owners more steeply biased against owners.
The proposals seek rights for Government officials to enter boarding houses irrespective of the privacy of the occupants and irrespective of health and safety laws. Legalised "fishing expedition" evidence gathering rights are sought without any requirement to provide evidence of a reason for such evidence gathering.
Boarding house warrants of fitness are proposed without reference to the contents of such a warrant of fitness. There is no way on assessing whether or not to proceed down the WOF track without knowing what the contents of a WOF would be.
In this approach on a boarding house WOF, the Minister is using the disingenuous approach he used in passing the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act, in which Parliament agreed that extra standards should be imposed on rental accommodation without knowing what those standards would be. The standards are currently being imposed through regulation, thus bypassing Parliament.
The questions skirt around the major issue, the elephant in the room, which is a shortage of affordable housing, both own-your-own and rental. There is nothing in these proposals that will encouraging building more housing. The proposals are so draconian that many owners are selling, which is both reducing the supply of rental property and increasing rents.
What follows is an introduced and edited version of responses submitted via the Ministry's online survey.
2.1.1 The 14-day notice to remedy function covers this and already exists and use of it would just delay the whole process for 14 days.
2.1.2 No. Other examples of unwanted behaviour would include damage, wearing gang patches, setting up a tinnie house, using the property for other criminal activities.
2.1.3 The owner or manager could try to get photographs, letters, emails, affidavits, audio recordings, and video recordings from affected neighbours but these would be difficult to obtain if neighbours were subject to intimidation, which is quite likely from violent and anti-social people. NOTE, the 14-day notice to remedy already exists and already is ineffective for dangerous tenants. The proposed removal of no-cause terminations removes a useful tool from a property manager's toolbox. I have used the 90-day no-cause terminations once this year to remove a crime family, and two years ago to remove a gang family, and that was after the actions of one of their visitors drove out a long-term neighbouring tenant after unwanted sexual advances.
2.1.4 The proposed extension of the 42-days' notice after sale of a property, if the owner wants to move in, or for use of an employee or family member prolongs an already long process.
2.1.5 When a rental property is sold, the new owner should have no limits on his or her ability to require vacant possession. The proposed change would substantially reduce the rights of the property owner.
2.1.6 An owner should continue to be able to end a tenancy so they can advertise the property for sale with vacant possession.
2.1.7 No. Rights and obligations should be balanced between owners and tenants. If a tenant is only required to give 21 days' notice to termination without providing a reason the owner should be able to give 21 days' notice to termination without providing a reason.
2.1.8. No, but having said that, if notice to end is 21 days is for both parties this issue would not arise.
2.1.9 Rights and obligations should be balanced between owners and tenants. If a tenant is only required to give 21 days' notice to termination without providing a reason the owner should be able to give 21 days' notice to termination without providing a reason.
2.1.10 The longest length of time it's taken you to find a new tenant has been within 21 days.
2.1.11 (a) I have used the 90-day no-cause terminations once this year to remove a crime family, and two years ago to remove a gang family, and that was after the actions of one of their visitors drove out a long-term neighbouring tenant after unwanted sexual advances. (b) I issued a 42-day notice when the property was sold.
2.1.12 The main effect of the removal of the 90-day no-cause termination would be that if applicant looks marginal, the owner would prefer to keep a property vacant instead of taking on a problem.
2.1.13 N/A since I am not a public housing provider.
2.1.14 N/A since I am not a public housing provider.
2.1.15 I agree with the assumption that if 'no cause' terminations are removed from periodic agreements, landlords could be more likely to offer fixed-term agreements.
2.1.16 I have not used a fixed-term tenancy until now.
2.1.17 Giving one party of an agreement the right to renew, extend or modify an agreement, in this case a fixed-term tenancy, removes mutuality from the mutual agreement. This problem may be removed by changing the phrasing to owners and tenants may renew, extend or modify an agreement by mutual agreement.
2.1.18. The impact of setting a minimum length to a fixed-term agreement would depend on the length of the minimum term. For instance, three months would differ greatly from three years. No consideration has been given to the impact on both parties of a change of circumstances in the middle of a fixed-term agreement. A suitable minimum length would three months.
2.1.19 The best arrangement for periodic tenancies is 21-days' notice of termination with no reason for both parties.
2.1.20 The best way for the Government to meet its objective to improve security and stability for tenants is to provide incentives for owners and developers to increase the supply of affordable accommodation.
2.1.21 The Government should not further investigate removing fixed-term tenancies from the market because they provide certainty for both parties.
2.1.22 The best arrangement to balance security for tenants and owners for periodic tenancies is 21-days' notice of termination with no reason for both parties.
2.2.1 There has been disagreement with a tenant about whether or not they were meeting their obligations on a number of occasions. But the breaches were identified by reference to the terms of the tenancy agreement. The matter went to mediation, then adjudication and the matter was resolved.
2.2.2 I don't think tenants should have more responsibilities for the property they rent other than those already stipulated in the existing Residential Tenancy Act because current responsibilities cover the basic relationship and additional responsibilities may be by mutual agreement.
2.2.3 A tenant's responsibilities to keep a property "reasonably clean and tidy" makes it clear what sort of behaviour a landlord can expect. Moreover, this requirement has worked for 32 years.
2.2.4 A tenant in a longer-term tenancy could have additional responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the property by mutual agreement only.
2.2.5. Since unpaid rent complaints make up 72 percent of total applications to the Tenancy Tribunal, the only change to tenants' responsibilities could be stronger law around unpaid rent which could mean charging interest on unpaid rent, the ability to charge tenants' credit cards, or exemplary damages for refusal to pay rent.
2.2.6 There are not sufficient repercussions for tenants who don't meet their obligations. For instance, owners should be able to charge interest on unpaid rent, the ability to charge tenants' credit cards, or exemplary damages for refusal to pay rent. Moreover, tenants who damage properties should be face the criminal charge of wilful damage which carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail.
2.2.7 Owner responsibilities are clearly defined on every Tenancy Services tenancy agreement and in the RTA.
2.2.8 There no other things a landlord should be responsible for. Having said that, an owner should be able to charge interest on unpaid rent, charge tenants' credit cards, or get exemplary damages for refusal to pay rent. Owners should be able to charge tenants who damage properties with wilful damage which carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail.
2.2.9 Current responsibilities make it clear what tenants can expect from landlords in terms of maintenance. These have worked well for 32 years.
2.2.10 The main changing trend in the housing and rental market is the shortage of affordable accommodation. The Government could help by easing restrictions on building and modification of property and possibly providing tax reductions for owners who provide infill housing on large back lawns of older properties.
2.2.11 There are over-the-top repercussions for owners who allegedly don't meet their obligations. For instance, the egregious $4000 exemplary damages payable to a tenant for dobbing in an owner for not complying with insulation requirements. This may be triggered by absence of underfloor insulation, which only reduces heat loss by 10% in the three months of winter. The only quantifiable benefit for underfloor insulation is to the insulation provider and installer. There is no perceptible benefit to the tenant other than collecting the fine. There is no perceptible benefit to the Govt in terms of reduced hospitalisation. And the cost is totally on the owner.
2.2.12 The responsibilities for heating and ventilation have been clear since since the Housing Improvement Regulations 1947, which were picked up in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. As well as requiring a kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, toilet and laundry, and for heating, every living room must be fitted with a fireplace and chimney or other approved form of heating. Bathrooms and toilet rooms were required to have a window opening to the exterior for ventilation. This was fine until 2004, when new National Standards for Air Quality banned open fires in urban areas in a quest to rid the atmosphere of tiny particles called PM10, and urban dwellings were forced to get an approved wood-burner or switch to electric or gas heaters.
Ventilation: To be quite clear, with the exception of dwellings where stormwater is not removed from the section and where there is a leaky roof, the build-up of mould results from how people live in houses and not the houses themselves. This may be tested by leaving the property vacant. I have a four-bedroom house that was turned into a mouldy wreck by one family, yet the next family has lived there for years with no problem. The house has ceiling insulation and has a log-burner in the lounge. I have a flat, insulated in the ceiling, that tended to have a build-up of mould on the south wall. Yet one family lived there for three years and the condition they left it in was identical to how it was when they moved in. (The flat had been painted throughout when they moved in.) I have a nine-flat property with extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom. The flats are mainly identical. I have had problems with mould in some flats at some times by some people. Different tenants in a flat that has had a mould problem currently live there without mould or condensation issues. Dry heat produced by electric heaters or fires is preferable. The use of unflued portable gas heaters which produce 1 cup of water for every kilowatt hour greatly increase the amount of vapour within dwellings. Such heaters, plus showering, plus cooking, produce condensation that needs to be wiped away every morning and homes ventilated every day by opening windows and doors. Having said that, I have tenants who use portable gas heaters effectively without generating mould simply because they ventilate the property, mainly by leaving the main ranch-slider door partly open during the day when at home. Large-scale immigration brought hundreds of thousands of people from warm climates who try to recreate equatorial temperatures with portable gas heaters without ventilating properties. There also appears to be an increase in locals who know nothing about the need to ventilate.
Heating: The 18C or 20C temperature standard for a dwelling may be achieved in many ways. The amount of heat required depends on the ambient (outside) temperature, the size of the room, and whether the windows and doors are closed and curtains drawn. A simple test may be performed by anyone with a thermometer and may be done by closing the windows, curtains, and doors of a room and powering up the heater to raise the room temperature to 18C, which is a so-called "healthy" standard. A 2400-watt electric fan heater costing just $30 will heat a State-house living room to the required 18C on a winter night. A ban on portable gas heaters would be a good step to achieve dry dwellings and to avert respiratory issues resulting from burnt gas emissions. However, the recent complaints over 15,000 heaters installed in State houses shows that because people have preferences of what they prefer to keep them warm, a one-size fits all rule on heating would be a costly mistake.
2.2.13 It would be as much a mistake to force tenants to use heating/ventilation improvements an owner has installed as it would be to force owners to install them.
2.3.1 I have also been a tenant and I have had no problem in asking to be able to paint interiors etc.
2.3.2 As an owner I have given permission to plant a vege garden with the requirement to return it to lawn at the end of the tenancy, but withheld permission on painting because I had no confidence in the likely outcome.
2.3.3. A tenant should be required to reverse any modifications they make in rental properties, unless the landlord agrees to take on the modification. Mostly at the end of tenancies, the vege gardens I gave permission for were not returned to lawns, which meant it was over to me to do the job. Lack of follow-through on commitments by former tenants has a big impact on current requests.
2.3.4 If the tenant doesn't reverse a modification as agreed, I restitution should be paid to restore the property. I don't think it should be an unlawful act with a potential financial penalty.
2.3.5 Reasonable grounds to object to a tenant's request to make minor modifications to a rental property would be lack of evidence that the work could be done to a professional standard. Of course, no work that requires a building consent could be contemplated.
2.3.6 A total of 21 working days is not a reasonable amount of time, for an owner to consider a tenant's request to make minor modifications to a rental property. A better way forward is to include in every tenancy agreement under the "landlord and tenant agree that" section an additional condition that says "The tenant shall not modify the property without the owner's written consent" with "without the owner's written consent" in bold.
2.3.7 Any modification should be of a professional standard because that is what is required at the start of a tenancy. Any modification that requires a consent should be out of the question.
2.3.8 There is no type of modification that could be included on a list of alterations tenants have a right to make, without seeking the owner's permission. The author of these submission questions greatly over-estimates skill levels. Everything listed requires remediation. Even adding hooks or nails for pictures, and fastening furniture or fixing shelves to walls requires filling and painting at the end of a tenancy.
2.3.9 There is no sign that the author of the submission questions has any idea of advantages, disadvantages and impacts of each of the modification options.
2.3.10 Neither option 1, that an owner has 21 days to consider a request to modify after which they are deemed to have agreed, or option 2, that tenants have a statutory right to make modifications, is suitable. As already stated, a better way forward is to include in every tenancy agreement under the "landlord and tenant agree that" section an additional condition that says "The tenant shall not modify the property without the owner's written consent" with "without the owner's written consent" in bold.
2.4.1 A landlord should be able to refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet without giving a reason. This is because some properties are suitable for pets and some are not. For instance, a multi-unit property with no fenced yards would be unsuitable for a dog.
2.4.3 As an owner, my experience allowing tenants to keep pets at our rental properties has resulted in dog and cat faeces and urine on carpets and chewed through doors from when dogs were locked indoors. One property also had cat faeces in supplied bedding and cat spray half way up the walls in all rooms of a three-bedroom flat. I have also had pets abandoned at our rental properties.
2.4.4 As an owner, I have withheld permission to keep pets at our rental properties because of dog and cat faeces and urine on carpets and chewed through doors from when dogs were locked indoors. One property also had cat faeces in supplied bedding and cat spray half way up the walls in all rooms of a three-bedroom flat.
2.4.6 A better way forward with pets is to include in every tenancy agreement under the "landlord and tenant agree that" section an additional condition that says "The tenant shall not keep a pet without the owner's written consent" with "without the owner's written consent" in bold.
2.4.7 Some premises have specific attributes that mean they are inappropriate for some types of pet. For instance, a fenced yard means it is possible to keep a dog, but there are other issues, such as whether the dog whines incessantly when the owner is not there.
2.4.8 Tenants should be responsible to pay for all damage incurred on the property during their tenancy, including damage by pets. The Osaki ruling which offloads payment for damage by pets on to an owner's insurance should be overturned. Tenants should be held legally responsible for pets left behind at rental property.
2.4.9 I support the introduction of specific obligations in the RTA for tenants who keep pets, in regards to their rental property and the peace and comfort of their neighbours because a pet owner should be responsible for their pets.
3.1.1 I have encountered rental bidding, where a prospective tenant offers more than the advertised rent for a property, on a couple of occasions. It arose at viewings by multiple applicants. Those who offered more sought a competitive advantage. However, I still had to find out whether the persons concerned were suitable applicants so they were ranked irrespective of their offering extra money. None of those who offered more ever became tenants of ours.
3.1.2 I have not seen rent bidding as a problem. There is more to letting a tenancy than having an auction to increase the rent. The owner or manager already knows the market rent before advertising.
3.2.1 An application for a rent adjustment under a fixed-term tenancy agreement must be made to the Tenancy Tribunal within three months of the last rent review or from the start of the tenancy. I don't deal in fixed-term tenancies but remember, markets rise and fall. Anyone happy to be able to seek to adjust rent higher in a fixed-term tenancy every three months should be prepared to adjust it lower every three months in a falling market.
3.2.2 A view that RTA should include guidance on what constitutes 'substantially exceeding market rent' shows that the person recommending such a mechanism does not understand a market, which is a place where forces of demand and supply operate, and where buyers and sellers interact. The actual problem in housing, both rental and own your own, is that there is a shortage, and this shortage drives up prices. The Govt should address the issue of making it easier for owners to provide infill housing and incentives to do so.
3.3.1 As an owner I review rent when tenancies change or every year.
3.3.2. I don't agree that rent increases should only be allowed once every 12 months. Currently they can be increased every 6 months. The market is always changing. Owners and tenants need flexibility.
3.3.3. Owners should not be required to disclose how they will calculate future rent increases when a new tenancy is entered in to. A tenant may ask. An owner will probably disclose how it is done. I have rarely had such a conversation. The RTA summary on the Tenancy Services tenancy agreement stipulates that rent cannot be increased until after 180 days.
The discussion document wants to know how boarding house tenancies should be treated and how the quality of boarding houses and accountability of boarding house owners can be improved.
A boarding house is where a tenant rents a room, rather than the whole house. They share facilities such as the kitchen and bathroom with the other tenants. A boarding house is occupied, or intended to be occupied, by at least six tenants at any time.
Boarding houses came to New Zealand with British settlement. Every town had a hotel and a boarding house, mainly for single men, and this style of accommodation continued through every wave of housing reform.
A change occurred from the 1960s when psychiatric patients were recommended for accommodation outside of psychiatric hospitals. Sheltered accommodation was progressively closed and people with mental health issues relocated to boarding houses.
Boarding houses became useful for Government-funded "social service providers" who could help marginal applicants find accommodation. Applicants included those from psychiatric units and newly released prisoners.
Large-scale immigration from 2008 which saw up to 70,000 new migrants a year, every year, for 10 years, put substantial pressure on all housing. This meant that whole families were sometimes housed in boarding house rooms.
We always had a no-children policy at boarding houses because we could not guarantee the safety of children and because children can be disruptive and could be highly irritating for single men.
I also found that a couple with behaviour problems living cooped up in a boarding house room could be a recipe for domestic violence, especially when alcohol and drugs are used.
Boarding houses were included in the Residential Tenancies Act since 2010. The law already spells out the rights and responsibilities of both the owner and the tenant, and those rights are already skewed in favour of the tenant. For instance, the owner may end the tenancy by giving 28 days' notice while the tenant has only to give two days' notice.
The issues that face boarding house owners and tenants are (a) a shortage of affordable accommodation, (b) behaviour problems by some tenants due to drugs and alcohol and mental health problems, (c) a two-faced approach from Govt services which is displayed by both hostility as well as reliance on the accommodation that is available.
4.1.1. Current responsibilities for boarding house owners need some change. Termination requirements should be balanced to seven days' notice for both parties instead of the current 48 hours' notice by tenant not in writing and 28 days' notice by owner in writing. The written-notice period to pay rent arrears should be reduced from 10 days to seven days. The termination for unpaid rent should fall on the seventh day after notice is given and not 48 hours after the expiry of a 10-day notice. The current notice period allows for two weeks of unpaid rent. If the owner has chosen to collect just one week's rent as bond, they would be out of pocket for a week's rent. Owners often choose to collect just one week's rent, which saves paperwork. The benefit to the Govt of an owner collecting one week's rent as bond is, for Work and Income clients, less required upfront to start a tenancy.
4.1.2 Current responsibilities for boarding house tenants need some change. Termination requirements should be balanced to seven days' notice for both parties instead of the current 48 hours' notice by tenant not in writing and 28 days' notice by owner in writing. The written-notice period to pay rent arrears should be reduced from 10 days to seven days. The termination for unpaid rent should fall on the seventh day after notice is given and not 48 hours after the expiry of a 10-day notice. The current notice period allows for two weeks of unpaid rent. If the owner has chosen to collect just one week's rent as bond, they would be out of pocket for a week's rent. Owners often choose to collect just one week's rent, which saves paperwork. The benefit to the Govt of an owner collecting one week's rent as bond is, for Work and Income clients, less required upfront to start a tenancy.
4.1.3 Stronger enforcement powers would not necessarily improve the quality of boarding houses. These reforms are skirting around the actual problem which is one of supply. The quality of "boarding houses" is better increased by greater availability of affordable housing, both rental and own-your-own.
4.1.4 A self-certification regime would not work. Again, such a move is skirting around the actual problem which is one of supply. Standards for housing have existed since 1947. Legislation on the operation of boarding houses has existed since 2010. Requiring a certificate, whether written by the owner or written by some regulator would instantly make illegal operators of those who don't have a certificate. Those who choose not to go down the path of certification will either continue to operate illegally and pay any fines or withdraw from the market and sell the houses used as boarding houses to first home buyers.
4.1.5 To answer the question on whether a self-certification scheme should focus on the building or the owner, I repeat, a self-certification regime would not work. Again, such a move is skirting around the actual problem which is one of supply. Standards for housing have existed since 1947. Legislation on the operation of boarding houses has existed since 2010. Requiring a certificate, whether written by the owner or written by some regulator would instantly make illegal operators of those who don't have a certificate. Those who choose not to go down the path of certification will either continue to operate illegally and pay any fines or withdraw from the market and sell the houses used as boarding houses to first home buyers.
4.1.6. No other standards for boarding house would make any self-certification scheme effective.
4.1.7 As a boarding house owner, a self-certification regime would be a total irritation and over-complicate an already complicated and fraught business. It would not be worth while carrying on. The boarding house would be redeveloped.
4.1.8 A warrant of fitness is a check to ensure that a property and/or landlord meets minimum required standards before being granted a licence to operate a boarding house. Would a warrant of fitness lift the standards of boarding houses? I think a WOF would reduce the availability of boarding house rooms. I already have to comply with a building warrant of fitness for fire safety gear. This is an expensive exercise that really only benefits the compliance officer, who charged $211.60 for a 10-minute check, and the council, which charged $150 for the paperwork. I check the gear each month taking roughly the same amount of time doing a check with the same result. A rental property warrant of fitness achieves roughly the same sort of check that a prospective tenant does on viewing the property. An applicant views the room and sees the bed, mattress, chest of drawers, window, curtains, door, locks, the kitchen, the shower rooms, the laundry. He or she can ask about insulation, which few ever do, and ask how electricity and internet is paid for. If a prospective tenant does not like a property they view, they choose not to live there. Before standards may be effectively enforced we have to see what the standards are. The standards included in the trial WOF in Wellington were so extreme that a brand-new high-end property failed to comply. That is the sort of idiocy that owners wish to avoid. The actual problem that these proposed reforms are skirting around is the shortage of affordable accommodation, which means some choose to live in property they do not like. I suspect the authors of this proposed reform have no direct experience of actual boarding houses and instead are responding to a few hysterical news items. As a boarding house owner, a warrant of fitness would be a total irritation and over-complicate an already complicated and fraught business.
4.1.9 The introduction of a boarding house Warrant of Fitness would result in new costs for tenants, landlords and the government and cannot be justified. The actual problem is a shortage of affordable property, both rental and own-your-own. A WOF adds costs to owners that will be passed on to tenants. Some owners would sell. That would further reduce supply. Greater pressure would go on remaining boarding houses, which would further increase rents.
4.1.10 Neither a self-certification regime or a Warrant of Fitness would be effective as "additional protections" for boarding houses. What is needed is more affordable housing, not additional restrictions on existing housing, especially considering that all housing is already covered by substantial legislation.
4.1.11 There should be no WOF for boarding houses. My experience with a building warrant of fitness shows that council supervision is merely cash for paperwork.
4.1.12 The definition of a boarding house, which means residential premises—(a) containing 1 or more boarding rooms along with facilities for communal use by the tenants of the boarding house; and (b) occupied, or intended by the landlord to be occupied, by at least 6 tenants at any one time, is clearly understandable.
4.1.13 Not all room-by-room tenancies should be treated as boarding houses because there is a huge flatting market and such a redefinition would unnecessarily complicate flatting.
5.1.1 I have had tenancy situations where I felt that some form of action was warranted but was unable to take it. This was to do with damage caused by tenants. The damage included holes in walls and damage to flooring resulting from dog faeces and urine. It was clear that the holes in the walls were not accidental. The presence of the dog indoors was entirely at the discretion of the tenant. I wanted to lay wilful damage charges. The police were not interested. When the matter was discussed in the Tenancy Tribunal adjudication I was led through a series of questions which started with whether I had insurance, whether the dog damage was an incident or a number of incidents, and whether the holes were intentional or accidental. The questions were outrageous and gave the appearance of a court trying to excuse a perpetrator for his behaviour while laying the costs on me. I note that under the Crimes Act, wilful damage is a crime that carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail. Why can owners not lay wilful damage charges against those who wilfully damage property?
5.1.2 This question asks to select which tenancy services previously used (if any) and comment on the quality of that service. The main problem I encountered with Tenancy Services is the increasing complexity of making an application to the Tenancy Tribunal online. Specifically, the problem was selecting the correct identity to make the application as. The last three applications required a call to the 0800 number to be stepped through the process. I've been putting in applications for 28 years.
5.1.3 I don't think it is appropriate for MBIE to have the power to enter the common spaces of boarding houses, without the prior agreement of at least one of the tenants who have protection under the Privacy Act and the Health and Safety Act. Such a move assumes wrong-doing. Which party is the target of such an evidence-gathering exercise. The tenant or the owner. There should be some evidence of need to require such a draconian move. No evidence of any need has been given. Usual practice for police before conducting a search is evidence upon which to base a search warrant. Such an entry by Government officials into private accommodation should be based on evidence of a need to enter. It should not be a fishing expedition.
5.1.4 The question of a notice period would be irrelevant if MBIE is not given the power to enter the common spaces of boarding houses, without the prior agreement of at least one of the tenants, as already explained.
5.1.5 Likewise, it's not appropriate for MBIE to carry out audits of landlords or property managers without providing evidence of wrongdoing. Any complaint of wrongdoing should be accompanied by evidence to protect against vexatious complaints. Audits cannot be fishing expeditions.
5.1.6 Any case taken by MBIE to the Tenancy Tribunal representing multiple alleged breaches of the same type must have clear evidence that there were in fact multiple breaches with dates, times, and details of the alleged breach.
5.1.7 It's not possible to define any level of penalty MBIE could be able to seek when taking a single case representing multiple breaches of the same type without knowing the nature of each breach.
5.1.8. An enforceable undertaking is an agreement between an owner and MBIE that sets out the circumstances that led to a breach of the RTA, the steps that need to be taken to remedy the breach, and a timeframe and consequences for failing to adhere to the agreement. Why impose these on owners and not tenants? Enforceable undertakings should apply to tenants as well.
5.1.9 Why impose improvement notices on owners and not tenants? Improvement notices should apply to tenants as well.
5.1.10 The penalty be for failing to comply with an improvement notice would depend on the nature of the required improvement. It's not possible to answer this question without knowing that.
5.1.11 Why issue infringement notices in circumstances where a breach of the RTA is straightforward to prove on owners and not tenants? Infringement notices should apply to tenants as well.
5.1.12 It is impossible to say whether infringement notices for owners would be effective in holding owners to account for poor behaviour, or to encourage positive behaviours, without defining poor and positive behaviours.
5.1.13 Unpaid rent would be a situation appropriate to issue an infringement notice.
5.1.14 An exemplary damage is a financial penalty paid to an affected person by the person who committed an unlawful act. The maximum amount the Tenancy Tribunal can award as an exemplary damage for each unlawful act ranges from $200 to $4,000, depending on the breach. Since there are 37 unlawful acts listed in the Residential Tenancies Act, it is not possible say in detail whether I think these existing exemplary damage levels are appropriate for breaches considered to be unlawful acts. A total of 26 of these acts warrant damages against an owner which in itself shows an anti-owner bias already built into the Act. Failing to comply with insulation requirements attracts exemplary damages of $4000, which is the top rate, payable to a tenant. Failure to install underfloor insulation attracts this penalty. Underfloor insulation prevents 10% of heat loss in a dwelling while ceiling insulation prevents 30 percent of heat loss. The only time of the year when heat loss is an issue is during the three months of winter. Even then, preventing heat loss is only an issue on seriously cold days. It is difficult to argue that an occupant of any dwelling is affected by the absence of underfloor insulation. Nevertheless, the maximum penalty remains. This is an egregious legislative failure, and is an example of the failure of the exemplary damages regime. If there are to be exemplary damages, they must both reflect the severity of the alleged breach and must be evenly applied on both owners and tenants. Otherwise, the law fails the fairness test.
5.1.15. Unlawful acts include discrimination, harassment of a tenant or neighbour, a landlord's failure to meet maintenance or health and safety obligations, unlawful entry by a landlord, and abandonment of a premises without reasonable excuse. Unpaid rent should also be considered an unlawful act. Complaints about unpaid rent formed 72 percent of applications to the Tenancy Tribunal in the past financial year.
5.1.16 Changing the name of "exemplary damages" to "penalty" would better clarify its purpose. The penalty should be paid to the Govt as a fine, and not to the other party because it currently operates as an incentive to make a complaint.
5.1.17. I don't think MBIE should have the ability to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to award exemplary damages (a 'penalty') where unlawful acts have been committed. I lack confidence in the ability of the tribunal to make sound decisions because the application of tenancy law has been muddied over recent years, most notably by Osaki, and the case where all rent was refunded to a tenant after a building was found to be non-compliant. Any penalty depends on the nature of any alleged breach and is impossible to pluck out of thin air.
5.1.18. An owner, tenant, or MBIE should not be able to take a case and seek exemplary damages after 12 months from when the alleged act was committed because if the issue was in fact serious it should be dealt with immediately.
The Reform of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 discussion document may be downloaded from here.
You may email your submission to RTAreform@mbie.govt.nz .
The MBIE online submission is available here .


Bring a chair with 4 rails and learn the Appalachian tradition of weaving a chair seat with splint reed. Spend a day in our River Arts District studio and leave with a completed chair seat with a herringbone pattern. Chairs are available for a nominal fee if you need one.
Tuition includes all materials, tools, 5 hours of instruction, after-class assistance on future projects, and $25 off future chair caning classes. Call 828-707-4553 for more information.


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Tulips and Windmills
Operated by: Uniworld River Cruises
10 Days from $3,599 per person
Belgium, the Netherlands ...more Belgium, the Netherlands
Locations Visited
Antwerp, brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Veere, Dordrecht, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Nijmegen, Haarlem, Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen ...more Antwerp, brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Veere, Dordrecht, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Nijmegen, Haarlem, Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen
"I would do it again in a heartbeat."
While on the boat you are treated like royalty and every excursion is a well planned adventure. There was free time at most stops to explore on your own or you could just stay on the boat and relax.
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Trip Itinerary Price Includes Dates & Prices Ship Information Reviews Print
Amsterdam - Antwerp
Antwerp - Amsterdam
Day 1 Amsterdam (Embark)
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
meals Dinner
Day 2 Amsterdam
The Netherlands' largest city, Amsterdam has been an international port and financial center for 400 years, endowing it with a lively cosmopolitan feel to match its historic architecture. The laid-back, forward-thinking Dutch capital is as celebrated for its artistic masterpieces as it is for its canals, narrow houses, bicycles and vibrant nightlife. Discover the "Venice of the North" in two iconic ways today—a private visit to the Amsterdam Hermitage (an extra special perk reserved solely for Uniworld guests), plus a canal cruise or walking tour with a native of the city. Here, even the simplest shop has a distinctive charm, and every street has a story to tell.
A special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Featured Excursion: "Morning with the Masters" at the Hermitage Amsterdam
Choice of Amsterdam canal cruise or "Do as the Locals Do" Amsterdam walking tour
"Morning with the Masters" at the Hermitage Amsterdam
The doors open early to give you a crowd-free viewing of an extraordinary collection of Dutch master paintings: 30 monumental group paintings from the golden age that have been called "cousins of The Night Watch." Drawn from both the Amsterdam Museum and the Rijksmuseum, these works have rarely been displayed because of their enormous size. The Amsterdam Hermitage, however, devotes an enormous gallery space to this exhibit, which reveals the connections and activities of Amsterdam's power elite in the 17th century. Meet mayors and regents, colonels of the civil guard, wealthy merchants and their wives and learn something of their lives and the lives of the artists who painted these massive portraits.
Amsterdam canal cruise
It's called the "Venice of the North" for a reason: Canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link some 90 islands. As the principal city in a newly independent Holland, Amsterdam was a boom town in the early 17th century, rapidly outgrowing its medieval walls. The city's fathers responded by demolishing most of the old city and building all new, creating Europe's first planned city. That "new" district is now 400 years old, and as you glide along the main canals, you'll pass stately merchants' houses built centuries ago (some of them are now house museums you can visit on your own). But the canals are not merely scenic; they are essential thoroughfares—people take water buses to work and live in houseboats along the banks—so a canal cruise gives you a look at the busy modern city too.
"Do as the Locals Do" Amsterdam walking tour
Uncover some of Amsterdam's most charming and little-known treasures with a stroll to the city's most notable sights. Cross over the historic and richly-decorated Blauwbrug (Blue Bridge) that sits over the river Amstel. The original Blue Bridge was a wooden structure built in 1600 and painted to match the blue color from the Dutch flag. Next, board a streetcar and head to Rokin Street for a taste of a traditional Dutch delicacy, Haring (a unique raw herring dish) before pressing on towards Begijnhof–one of the oldest groups of historic buildings in Amsterdam. Next, you'll head into the oldest parts of Amsterdam via Warmoesstraat, one of the oldest, shop-lined streets in the city, that is also adjacent to the city's infamous Red-Light District. Wander along charming streets and indulge in a little bit of window shopping before arriving in Oudezijds Voorburgwal, one the city's central canals flanked by quintessentially Dutch façades, where you'll see the Oude Kerk (translation: Old Church), the city's oldest building. Your tour will end in Zeedijk, Amsterdam's Chinatown, which was originally constructed as a means of protection from the sea.
meals Breakfast, Lunch, Welcome Dinner
Day 3 Haarlem
Keukenhof is said to be the world's largest and most famous flower garden, a bold declaration that actually lives up to the hype. Spend all day amongst millions of brilliantly colored flowers, or mix it up a bit with a shorter garden visit plus a stroll through Haarlem.
Choice of Full-day at Keukenhof Gardens* or Keukenhof Gardens (half-day), with Haarlem: art, history and Dutch lifestyle
Full-day at Keukenhof Gardens*
Rivers of blue hyacinths curve through the trees, and great drifts of brilliantly hued tulips and daffodils carpet Keukenhof's 70-plus acres. It's probably the most spectacular flower garden in the world, and it's only open for a few weeks each spring. Gardeners plant some seven million bulbs on these grounds, making it a showcase for the Netherlands' legendary flower industry. There's more to see than just flowers, of course: There are intriguing exhibits in pavilions scattered throughout the estate, as well as concerts and activities for kids. Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the restaurants in the park; all of them have terraces overlooking beautiful plantings where you can savor the view as well as your meal. After you've seen all of the vibrant blossoms and perhaps even bought some bulbs to grow at home, you'll meet up with your guide and continue by motorcoach to the ship.
Note: If you're thinking about buying bulbs from Keukenhof or perhaps having items shipped home, make sure the vendor provides the documentation necessary for the import of bulbs or plants into your home country. Rules for importing flower bulbs and plants vary from country to country.
*Note: Lunch is not included with the full-day at Keukenhof Gardens.
Keukenhof Gardens (half-day), with Haarlem: art, history and Dutch lifestyle
Devote just half the day to the spectacular garden described above, have lunch onboard the ship and then head for Haarlem. Dubbed one of Europe's best-kept secret destinations, Haarlem is as quintessentially Dutch as they come. On today's leisurely walk around the city, you'll discover an abundance of Dutch charm, quaint streets, authentic windmills and charming local hot spots. Discover the De Adriaan, a windmill and integral part of the city's skyline that was originally built in 1779. On your right, you'll notice the oldest existing court of almshouses in The Netherlands, Hofje van Bakenes, which dates back to 1395. Next, you'll walk past the Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the country and former home of merchant and banker Pieter Teyler. Cross the Gedempte Oude Gracht and make your way into Gierstraat for a look at A.J. van der Pigge's chemist shop. Pay close attention to the traditional wooden chemist's sign above the entrance, the 19th-century interior and Haarlemmerolie (Haarlem oil that is believed to heal all ailments) still sold there.
Worked up an appetite? Make a pit stop at the nearby Botermarkt (Butter Market) for a drink and a bite to eat at one of the many cafés with their charming terraces. Continue down the Gierstraat toward the Vijfhoek quarter, a little square where several roads converge. Across the square sits the historic Protestant church of Haarlem, Nieuwe Kerk. You'll be amazed by its striking tower built in Renaissance style between 1613 and 1616 by the city's Flemish master builder, Lieven de Key. Keep strolling along one of the greenest streets in Haarlem until you hit the most famous shopping street in the city as well as the back of the world-famous Frans Hals Museum. This museum is named after a Haarlem painter from the Golden Age and is home to numerous Golden Age artistic treasures. See where Hals and other noteworthy citizens were laid to rest with a visit to St. Bavo's Church, which is also home to the famous Christian Müller organ. Mozart once played this massive organ on a trip to Haarlem when he was 10. As you continue to stroll past the church, you'll see Vleeshal (Meat Hall), recognizable by the intricately embellished, crow-steeped gable. From the 1600s to the 1800s, this was the only place where fresh meat was allowed to be sold.
meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Hoorn, Enkhuizen
Today offers you a chance to discover the Netherlands' maritime history, with visits to two historic towns linked to the Dutch East India Company (which dominated Europe's trade with Asia for centuries), and to learn a little about the daily lives of the seafaring Dutch in the 19th century. The tip of South America—Cape Horn—is actually a misspelling of "Hoorn," which tells you a lot about the town of Hoorn and its seafaring past. The swash-buckling derring-do of Dutch explorers comes to life today on a guided walking tour of this historic locale. Later, leave the modern world far behind during a visit to a re-created 19th-century Dutch village.
Featured Excursion: Enkhuizen fishing port-Dutch maritime traditions on the Zuiderzee
Choice of Hoorn walking tour or Dutch Cheese Trail
Enkhuizen fishing port-Dutch maritime traditions on the Zuiderzee
Characteristic buildings—houses, cottages, warehouses and churches—were collected from all over the region to re-create a typical 19th-century Dutch village: the Zuiderzee Outdoor Museum. It truly feels as though you have left the 21st century behind and entered an extraordinarily charming past as you walk through this village. Women in period costume (complete with traditional pointed caps and wooden shoes) do needlework, children play with hoops, and men make rope or barrels. Stop by the smoke-house to see racks of herring being preserved, or visit the cheesemaker. Given Enkhuizen's long history as a seaport (it was once a base for the East India Company) and fishing hub, it's only natural that you can spot tall wooden sailing ships docked next to meadows where sheep graze. The museum has an indoor component as well, including a section devoted to shipbuilding and maritime history, and the gift shop, stocked with unusual and well-chosen contemporary arts and crafts, is well worth a visit.
Hoorn walking tour
Did you ever wonder why the tip of South America is called Cape Horn? It's a misspelling of Hoorn, the home port of Dutch explorer Willem Schouten, who named it after his hometown when he arrived there in 1616. In the 17th century, Hoorn was a booming center of international trade, rivaling Amsterdam, and an important home base for the Dutch East India Company. Uncover Hoorn's rich seafaring history on a guided walking tour accompanied by a delightful boat ride past several delightful towns. Nowadays, charming shops and houses line the lanes, and pleasure boats bob in the harbor. The Hoorn fleet sailed the seven seas and returned laden with precious commodities; the town's lovely 17th-century gabled houses bear witness to the wealth brought by that trade. The ornate façade of the 17th-century Statencollege, now the Westfries Museum, is a colorful reminder of past glories: It shows the coats of arms of seven cities that were administered here. Though the harbor silted up and access to the North Sea was lost in 1932, Hoorn continues to thrive as a market town for farms and dairies in West Friesland. Back onboard, you will cruise to Enkhuizen and its remarkable re-creation of 19th-century Dutch life and culture. On the way, take note of the ship's passage through one particular lock—it's the only lock in the world that goes over a road.
Dutch Cheese Trail
Say cheese! Follow the Dutch cheese trail from Hoorn to Edam for a delicious and insightful look at how an authentic cheese farm operates. Spend some time preparing for your outing with a jaunt around the town of Hoorn, a delightfully historic city that was once home to the Dutch East India Company's headquarters. Take in the beauty of picture-perfect Dutch landscapes and see any number of the dozens of monuments and churches that'll give you a look into what life was like in Hoorn in the 17th century. After getting a feel for this peaceful city, you'll board a bus for a ride into the countryside for a visit to the famous cheese-producing town of Edam, which lends its name to one of the country's most popular cheeses. Here, you'll learn the ins and outs of cheesemaking at the Zeilzicht Cheese Farm.
Day 5 Nijmegen
For your choice of excursions today, you can visit the Kröller-Müller Museum, which is home to 97 works by native son Vincent Van Gogh, as well as other notable artists and sculptors. Or enjoy a bike ride in the Hoge Veluwe National Park.
Choice of Kröller-Müller Museum visit or "Let's Go" Nijmegen riverland biking
Kröller-Müller Museum visit
Helene Kröller-Müller bought seven Van Goghs in a single day in 1912, valuing the painter's then-little-appreciated work for his "great and novel humanity." She went on to purchase many more of his paintings, and in the process, she almost single-handedly rescued him from obscurity and established his modern-day reputation. The Kröller-Müller Museum, which she founded in the 1930s on a family estate, features some 97 works by the master, including The Bridge at Arles. But Kröller-Müller didn't stop with Van Gogh; her goal was to found the first museum in the Netherlands devoted to modern art, so the collection also boasts exceptional works by Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian and Auguste Rodin, among many other late-19th- and 20th-century artists. Join an expert guide for a one-hour tour, then revisit the galleries for a closer look or go out into the extensive sculpture gardens on your own. The museum has commissioned a sculpture a year for decades, so the collection is unusual, contemporary and diverse.
"Let's Go" Nijmegen riverland biking
This picture-perfect outing offers you the chance to pedal past everything from the oldest Dutch city and a tiny polder village to quaint tea gardens and the Bay of Bison. Apart from the many natural wonders you are sure to encounter, you'll enjoy a glimpse into the technological advances in water management of the Nijmegen area. Cycle along the beautiful terrain of the Dutch countryside, starting next to the Waal Bridge, where U.S. forces famously got stuck for nine months amid World War II. You'll bike past the Valkhof, a Roman fortress featuring ruins, a historic chapel and a new art museum.
As you ride along the hills of Ubbergen and Beek, you'll marvel at the many handsome homes and views of the polders below. Leave the Dutch "mountains" behind as you descend into the charming polders, with their verdant landscapes, farms and some of the smallest towns and churches in the country. Ready for a pit stop? A perfect spot to savor the scenery is the town of Millingen. Take in the serenity of the many romantic and charming tea gardens, and make sure to enjoy a refreshment and homemade treats. Head toward the Bay of Bison, or Bisonbaai, in Dutch. This arm of the Waal River offers you the chance to get up close and personal with the famous bison and wild horses that call this area home. You'll cap this scenic bike ride with a stroll past Nijmegen's most notable landmarks, such as market square and Commanderie van Sint Jan.
Day 6 Rotterdam (Kinderdijk), Dordrecht
Windmills are such an iconic symbol of Holland that it's easy to overlook their marvelous engineering and their role in changing the course of Dutch history. You may never look at a windmill in quite the same way after today's outing to historic Kinderdijk. The second-largest city in the Netherlands and the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is thoroughly modern—much of its historic fabric was destroyed during WWII. As your ship cruises through the port, you'll soon understand why it's sometimes called "Manhattan on the Meuse": The Maas Tower, the Montevideo, the Millennium Tower and the spectacular Erasmus Bridge make for a dazzling skyline. You'll have some free time to explore this exciting modern city on your own. Take a look at the amazing cube houses, stop by Groos for unique pieces by Rotterdam designers, check out the new market hall or visit one of Rotterdam's many museums.
Featured Excursions:
Dutch Culinary Stroll of Rotterdam's SuperDutch, supersized Market Hall
Kinderdijk windmills
Get a taste for Rotterdam's culinary prowess and architectural achievements on a walk to Market Hall. Built in 2014, this extraordinary building is known for its futuristic look and unique culinary offerings—from bars and food stands to full-service restaurants. Market Hall is just one example of Amsterdam's captivating mix of 17th-century canals, gabled façades and modern architecture. You'll also enjoy a look at the UNESCO-designated Witte Huis, an Art Nouveau masterpiece adorned with mosaics and statues. When it was built in 1898, it was the tallest office building in Rotterdam and Europe's first skyscraper.
At one time 10,000 windmills operated in the Netherlands, pumping water away from low-lying lands (much of the country is below sea level) and creating what are known as polders—arable land reclaimed from the water. Though the mighty windmill has been replaced by newer technology, you can see how effective the system was in Kinderdijk, where a group of 19 windmills erected in the 18th century still function. Most are ground-sail windmills (meaning their sails nearly touch the ground as they whirl) and each one was carefully situated to make sure one did not block another's wind. Each windmill moves the water a little farther, pumping it from field to canal, from canal to river. Climb the steep stairs of a mill and look out over the quiet fields that would be underwater were it not for the ingenuity of the Dutch. (Of course, you can simply admire it from the outside. But if you do that, you won't see how the mill keeper's family lived.) These mills are kept in working order partly as a backup in case modern technology fails, and they were used as recently as WWII, when there was no fuel to keep newer pumping stations working.
Note: If docking in Kinderdijk is not possible, the excursion will be arranged by motorcoach from Rotterdam.
Day 7 Veere
Remember the tale of the Dutch boy who saved a town by plugging a dike with his finger? Well, the reality of life in this below-sea-level country is a tad more complicated, as you'll learn today during your visit to the Delta Works. For something completely different, we'll also visit a former artists' colony.
Stroll into the artists' village of Veere
Delta Works museum
A harbor village on the shores of the Western Scheldt, Veere may be a small town now, but its stately 15th-century town hall tells of a grander past. For three centuries it was the bustling center of the wool trade with Scotland; the wealth from this trade built the splendid church with its tall and ornate steeple that dominates the village, as well as the handsome mansions on its main street. Wander with the Cruise Manager through Veere's central marketplace, where you will spot the well-known Scottish Houses, so called because Scottish wool merchants built them early in the 16th century when Veere was the primary port for Scottish trade goods. The Scots maintained a community in Veere, complete with their own church and laws, until Napoleon took over the region and eliminated their privileges. In 1896 an English art collector named Albert Lionel Ochs bought one of the two Scottish Houses and welcomed an enthusiastic group of international artists who were drawn to the scenic harbor and its fishing boats. For years painters set up their easels and painted the gentle seaside views, but after a dam closed off the harbor from the sea, the fishing boats left—and so did the artists. Today, the Scottish Houses serve as a lovely museum displaying the regional antiquities, folklore and life of the Zeeland province. And, interestingly enough, artists are once again painting in Veere, so perhaps a new colony will take root and flourish.
When Hurricane Sandy hit New York in 2012, New York officials began to take serious interest in Dutch methods of controlling flooding. After all, the Dutch have been protecting lowland from the sea for 2,000 years; back in 1953, they responded to a storm—one not unlike Sandy—that flooded the countryside and killed almost 2,000 people by implementing a series of projects called Delta Works. You'll venture to the Watersnood Museum and learn some remarkable stories of ordinary people and their experiences with water. Walking into the museum's four caissons that were used in 1953 to close the dyke's final gap will show you the history of water in The Netherlands from 1953 until the present day.
Day 8 Ghent (Bruges or Ghent)
Your first day in Belgium offers you the chance to visit a national gem: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Bruges is a place that seems frozen in time, where boats and swans float down canals and under stone bridges that gave the city its name.
Choice of "Do as the Locals Do" Ghent walking tour or Bruges walking tour with canal cruise
"Do as the Locals Do" Ghent walking tour
Since cars are completely banned in Ghent's historic center, it's a particularly pedestrian-friendly area. Stroll with your guide from the Church of Saint James, with its two Romanesque towers, to the Friday Market square, which, as its name suggests, was the site of a huge market every Friday in the Middle Ages. You'll pass the magnificent 15th-century Great Butchers' Hall and the elegant medieval trading houses that line Graslei and Korenlei streets on your way to St. Bavo's Cathedral. It's not often that a Rubens is upstaged, but in this cathedral it takes second place to the famed Ghent Altarpiece, Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. This stunning 15th-century artwork, which consists of 24 panels, was begun by Hubert van Eyck and completed after his death by his younger brother, Jan. It's been called the most often stolen artwork in the world, coveted not only for its beauty and cultural significance but also for its seminal role in the development of oil painting (the George Clooney film The Monuments Men recounts the most recent theft and recovery, during WWII); in fact, one panel has been missing since 1934. Your last stop is the Belfort, the great bell tower that rises above the Old Town. You'll have time to explore and savor lunch on your own following your tour.
Note: Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is undergoing restoration, so not all of its panels will be on display.
Bruges walking tour with canal cruise
See why Bruges gives Amsterdam a run for its money as the "Venice of the North" as you cruise through the UNESCO-designated city center. The town grew up around a fort built by the first Count of Flanders as a defense against Viking invaders. By the 14th century, Bruges had become the center of the international cloth trade. Merchants and traders from around the world came to Bruges for Flemish cloth, and the town's bounty of beautiful churches and mansions testify to its prosperity. The city also became a center of financial services, offering banking, money-changing and maritime insurance. Your local guide will take you past the Begijnhof and the Church of Our Lady to the canal cruise terminal, where you'll board boats for a cruise through Bruges's picturesque canals. Swans share the quiet backwaters of some canals; others are lined with tall brick townhouses and open up to splendid views of historic churches. After taking a close-up look at the city, see it from above: the Belfry Tower, looming over Market Square, offers an incredible view of the city.
A canal cruise is the perfect way to experience Bruges; however, please be aware that the canal boats are neither covered nor heated.
meals Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 Antwerp
It may be the diamond capital of the world, but Antwerp is also known for a number of other sought-after cultural gems, including Golden Age art and Belgian beer, waffles and fries. Belgium's largest port, the city is home to trendsetting fashion designers and a mecca for chocolate lovers, Antwerp is lively and historic, lovely and legend-filled. Visit Antwerp's striking Cathedral of Our Lady, with its UNESCO-designated belfry and its historic surroundings, or, if you're feeling adventurous, hop on the metro and experience the city like a local.
A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Choice of "Do as the Locals Do" Antwerp walking tour or Antwerp historic downtown highlights
"Do as the Locals Do" Antwerp walking tour
Residents of Antwerp are called Antwerpenaars, and you'll feel like one during your guided tour of this bustling multicultural city. Hop on the metro for a quick ride to the beautiful Central Station, then stroll down the Meir, the main shopping street, where you'll discover a wonderful array of architectural styles. Past and present collide at the Chocolate Line, chocolatier Dominique Persoone's sinfully good sweets shop on the first floor of the 18th-century Royal Palace. In keeping with the regal setting, Persoone's wife adorned the shop with 33 million Swarovski crystals. Stand amid the sparkle and glamour and watch as master chocolatiers work their magic, then taste the results. Having met your chocolate quota for the day (if such a thing is possible!), head for Farmers' Tower, an art deco–era building that many call the first skyscraper in Europe. And no tour of the city would be complete without a stop at a stand devoted solely to french fries, which, despite the name, are a Belgian invention. Sample these double-fried delicacies with all kinds of dressings (the house-made mayonnaise is essential) and you'll understand why they're a national obsession. From there you can take a short walk back to the ship or stay in town and keep exploring.
Antwerp historic downtown highlights
Wisdom and Justice await you in Antwerp's Market Square—handsome statues of these virtues overlook the triangular plaza, the historic heart of the medieval city. It's an easy walk from the ship, and you'll stop at the glorious Cathedral of Our Lady on the way. Considered one of the most beautiful structures in Belgium, the Gothic cathedral houses four masterworks by the golden age artist Peter Paul Rubens, who lived in Antwerp most of his life. Once you reach the Market Square, you'll spot the lofty Renaissance-era city hall, topped with those statues (at one time a statue of Brabo joined them, but Counter-Reformation priests replaced the putative founder of Antwerp with a statue of Mary). Next to it are ornately adorned guild houses, which testify to the enormous wealth and economic dominance of Antwerp in the 16th and 17th centuries.
At the end of the tour, you may decide Antwerp is so inviting that you want to see more. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Your local guide can provide some excellent insights: where to buy diamonds, the names of the best Belgian ales and the best places to find Belgian fries and waffles. You might check out the unusual boutiques in the pedestrian-only zone; Antwerp is a hub of avant-garde fashion, so these shops are full of unique clothing. The city was home to an astounding number of artistic geniuses in the 16th and 17th centuries, among them Brueghel, Van Dyck and Rubens. You can explore exquisite museums devoted to their work on your own.
Note: Tours cannot take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady during religious services. If a religious service prevents a tour, you may return later to see this beautiful structure on your own. Be sure to get a ticket from your guide.
meals Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Day 10 Antwerp (Disembark)
Disembark the ship in Antwerp. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Brussels International Airport for your flight home.
meals Breakfast
Day 1 Antwerp (Embark)
Arrive at Brussels International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Your next day in Belgium offers you the chance to visit a national gem: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Bruges is a place that seems frozen in time, where boats and swans float down canals and under stone bridges that gave the city its name.
Choice of Bruges walking tour with canal cruise or "Do as the Locals Do" Ghent walking tour
Day 5 Rotterdam (Kinderdijk)
Day 10 Amsterdam (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home.
2020 10 Days from $3,599 per person
Belgium, the Netherlands
Antwerp, brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Veere, Dordrecht, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Nijmegen, Haarlem, Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen
Castles Along the Rhine
8 Days from $2,999
Enchanting Danube
Remarkable Rhine and Historic Holland
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
Captain's Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
9-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the imperial River Duchess or stunning River Princess
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® of England beds, high-thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
Free Internet and Wi-Fi access
8 days of excursions, including "Choice Is Yours" options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Guided "Do as the Locals Do" program
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
2 countries: Belgium, The Netherlands
4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
All transfers on arrival and departure days
All gratuities, both onboard and onshore
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed.
Single Supplement applies for single accommodation.
Itineraries, hotels, and vessels may change, and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water level fluctuations and other uncontrollable factors.
The order of sightseeing and docking ports are subject to change according to port authority assignments.
Prices exclude additional port charges of $250 per person.
Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request
Start Date: Sat, Mar 28, 2020
Return Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2020
River Duchess Amsterdam to Antwerp
$3,999 pp $4,599 pp $5,199 pp $7,299 pp Request Quote
Start Date: Mon, Mar 30, 2020
Return Date: Wed, Apr 8, 2020
River Princess Antwerp to Amsterdam
Start Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2020
Return Date: Wed, Apr 15, 2020
River Duchess Antwerp to Amsterdam
Start Date: Wed, Apr 8, 2020
Return Date: Fri, Apr 17, 2020
River Princess Amsterdam to Antwerp
Start Date: Wed, Apr 15, 2020
Start Date: Fri, Apr 17, 2020
Return Date: Sun, Apr 26, 2020
River Duchess
River Princess
FASHION IS FLEETING BUT STYLE IS FOREVER
Her remodel brought with it soft hues of blue, green and other earth tones you'll see throughout your European journey. Don't go home without spending time in the Blue Danube Lounge (a guest-favorite spot onboard). Original art includes works by Picasso and Jane Wells Loudon.
Click HERE to view a pdf of ship facts (and click HERE to download software to open a pdf file).
Inaugurated: 2003
Renovated: 2012
Staff: 42
Suites: 4 (214 sq ft)
French Balcony: 18 (151 sq ft)
Deluxe: 34 (151 sq ft)
Classic: 9 (151 sq ft)
Length: 361 ft
Width: 37.5 ft
Lavishly appointed riverview suite (214 sq ft - 20 sq m) with a French balcony
Handcrafted Savoir® of England bed, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment center and satellite, and bottled water
Marble bathroom with L'Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers
Additional special amenities and services
Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) with a French balcony
Marble bathroom with L'Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, heated mirrors, cozy bathrobes, and slippers
Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m)
Our meticulously designed ships feature enticing public areas and luxurious amenities, including a lounge with full-service bar, well-equipped fitness center, restaurant, Serenity River Spa, and a Sun Deck where you can relax and take in the ever-changing views.
The 130-passenger River Duchess is decorated in soft hues of blue and green complemented by soothing earth tones, providing a tranquil and elegant onboard ambiance. Enjoy spectacular and ever-changing views of Europe's most enchanting waterways in the ship's stylish Blue Danube Lounge, Palace Restaurant, or the La Motte Sky Lounge.
COLORFUL CONTRASTS EMPHASIZE HER DASHING DIVERSITY
Bright green in one room, yellow in the next, and black and white in the room after that. The stylish contrasts all live together in harmony on this jewel of a vessel. Original art includes works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Marc Chagall.
Marble bathroom with L'Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers
The stunning foyer of the 130-passenger River Princess sets an indulgent and luxurious tone for your European journey. Throughout the ship, jewel-tone greens, warm browns, and mix of black of white create a sophisticated ambiance, while stylish public areas—including a Main Lounge, a Sky Lounge, and a Captain's Lounge and Library—provide comfortable places to curl up with a good book, chat with friends, or sip your favorite cocktail.
Tulips & Windmills
Excellent job in rearranging flights due to Brussels airport closing
Response from Grand European Travel:
The Brussels attack had a huge impact on us and travel as a whole. We're so happy you decided to go on your cruise despite the airport closure and that we could find alternate arrangements for you. WE knew that once you arrived, you would be treated very well! Grand European Travel
Outstanding crew and service
offering excellent itineraries
Uniworld provides outstanding travel experience.
It appears this is meant to be a review of Tulips and Windmills, which was excellent. However, we did not get a second review for Grand Italia, to which I will devote this space. This tour was easily the least satisfactory of all our tours. Some of it was fine, including the itinerary; but much left a lot to be desired. First, there was nobody to meet us at the airport when we arrived. We (and another couple) had to wait more than an hour before somebody found us. That was unacceptable, especially when our plane arrived on time. We found after arriving that GET switched two of our hotels on the tour, without giving us notice. One (at Baveno) turned out to be just fine; but the one in Sorrento turned into a negative when their air conditioning hadn't been turned on for the season--plus it was nowhere near Sorrento. We were very displeased because we wanted the freedom to go into Sorrento on our own, which the original hotel would have provided. One of the things we most looked forward to was the trip to the Cinque Terre; and while it had its high points, we stopped at only one of the five Cinque Terre towns rather than the two indicated in the itinerary. Admittedly, the other town we did stop at, while not one of the Cinque Terre towns, was better than Monterrosa, which was a tourist trap and not the least bit interesting. This left another bad taste in our mouths. In Florence, the meal situation, particularly the breakfast, was a nightmare. There were several other tours at the hotel (the Grand Mediterraneo), and it was a frustrating experience each of the three mornings we had to eat. The first night there, when we were left on our own to find a dinner, both the hotel and the restaurant next to it were fully booked. The hotel was not well situated for a situation like that. And one final complaint about the hotel. Whoever it was that designed the bathrooms should be made to stay in and use one for a month to see how ridiculous they are, particularly the tiny shower and how the commode was crammed into a corner. Finally, there was the tour director, Frank Looze. Mr. Looze had his moments, but we think he fancied himself an entertainer more than a tour director. He dressed sloppily and unprofessionally, he didn't do a good enough job keeping track of people who were following him, he was unsympathetic to the air conditioning problems (and was almost rude in dismissing the complaints), and in general was not up to the standards of tour directors we have had in the past with GET (Dawn Hutchison, Elizabeth Lindbloom, and Tonya Mather). A bit more specifically, he actually approached a fellow traveler on the last day before heading to the airport and asked if she had made a mistake in the gratuity she left. She hadn't, as she and her husband had problems other than those I've listed. We thought that was completely unprofessional, particularly after what happened on that last day. First, he wanted to ensure there were no problems with the hotel (Sheraton Airport) in getting the bags to the bus, so he had all of us get our own bags from our rooms to the bus. Personally, we think he didn't want to be bothered with having to stay on the hotel staff to be sure the job got done. Additionally, despite the brochure indicating that there would be shuttles to the airport at 6:00 am, 8:00 am, and 9:45 am, he decided that the shuttles would be at 6:30 am and 7:30 am. We had specifically booked a later flight so we wouldn't have to get up so early, and this made us spend more than four hours at the airport. Finally in regard to Mr. Looze, there was a group picture taken at the Colisseum on our second day in Rome. We expected to get it at our farewell dinner; but if somebody hadn't asked, we wouldn't know the situation-which apparently was that the pictures didn't get developed in time or at least didn't get delivered to Mr. Looze. He indicated he would follow up and send them to our homes, but we haven't seen anything. There were other items we could mention (and would be glad to share if John Miller would like to call us); but all in all, we found the experience to be very disappointing. We were just about the only couple on the tour who had previous GET experience. We don't think they had a particularly good experience, and it was almost embarrassing to us to have touted the company so much at the beginning of the tour as problems mounted. While we are now finding that cruising interests us more and more, we do have a land tour of Switzerland we are still considering. At this point, we are leaning towards Tauck or some other company rather than GET.
Thank you for your detailed feedback and for taking the time to stay in touch with us both on the road, and after you returned home. As was previously discussed with our Guest Relations team and booking agent, all of your comments and suggestions are being addressed with our quality control and planning teams. We appreciate you bringing these to our attention and will be in touch again shortly. Grand European Travel
They helped me re-book my flights when a storm made me miss my original flights. They called the riverboat for me and advised when I would be arriving as they were to meet my flight to take me to the riverboat. No fault of Grand Europeanj Travel but Uniworld was unable to pick me up althought I arrived in the allotted time frame. I had to take a taxi to catch to the riverboat.
We are sorry to hear that you were delayed because of the storm, but happy our Air Department was able to make new flight arrangements for you and that you arrived safely. We hope you were able to relax and enjoy the cruise from that point on. Thank you for taking the time to write. Dee-Grand European Travel
All tour guides were excellent.
Service was five star.
Wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing your feedback Dee-Grand European Travel
Uniworld ship and crew were five star+.
oUTSTANDING TRIP--sERVICE AND FOOD WERE TOP SHELF.
I have not been disappointed with the services provided. It has been a pleasant experience that I will use in the future.
We're so happy to see that you enjoyed your Tulips and Windmills cruise. We appreciate your business and thank you for sharing your experience with your friends and family. Dee-Grand European Travel
I had a fantastic time and look forward to telling my family and friends to go if they are looking for a wonderful experience for travel.
This was my second trip with Grand European and my third is already booked. They take all the worry out of travel from booking flights to transfers to and from the airport.Their agents are all very professional and always ready to help.
We appreciate the kind words and are so glad you enjoyed the Tulips and Windmills River Cruise. We'll be seeing you again soon on your next trip! Dee-Grand European Travel
I can't say enough good about Uniworld River Cruises! While on the boat you are treated like royalty and every excursion is a well planned adventure. There was free time at most stops to explore on your own or you could just stay on the boat and relax. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
The Tulips and Windmills tour was my 2nd European adventure with GET. My first tour was to It aly and it was outstanding. As such, I didn't hesitate to book a 2nd tour with them. I was not disappointed.
I absolutely loved this cruise. This cruise convinced me that this is the only way that I will travel in Europe from now on. The ship was luxurious and the food on the ship was superb. The service was better than any that I've experienced anywhere. We saw all of the sights in Holland and Belgium, and only had to unpack one time. The buses used to transport from ship to where we might be going that day stall had that "New car smell." The tour director on the ship planned for ever eventuality. She had tours for the guests who were slow walkers and a separate one for the fast walkers. So kind and considerate to all. I could talk about this cruise for the next hour. Oh, did I tell you that there was no getting up at sunrise to go on a land tour. The entertainment on the ship was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and very interesting and informative. As you can tell, I was impressed with everything about this cruise and have been planning another one next year.
We have recommended your trips to friends.
I feel like a pampered princess while on your river cruises. My only wish is for more rivers on which to cruise! I love gliding along with a gentle breeze (but no big waves )and viewing the ever changing scenery from the top deck.
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text:
Super Bowl ad winners and losers
By: CBS News
Posted: Feb 5, 2018 11:03 AM CST
(CBS NEWS) -- The Super Bowl is a high-stakes game for advertisers, with dozens of brands spending $5 million each for 30 seconds of air time and relying on humor, emotion and shock to win over viewers.
Advertisers shell out millions for a few seconds of airtime during the Super Bowl because it's one of the few events where viewers look forward to watching the ads. Even better, it regularly draws more than 100 million viewers, typically making it the most-watched broadcast of the year.
This year, advertisers mostly played it safe, relying on humor and sentiment to get their brand messages across. Yet that doesn't mean there weren't losers during Sunday's game.
A Ram truck ad that used an audio recording of Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering a speech drew considerable backlash, with viewers criticizing it for exploiting the late civil rights icon to sell trucks. The ad earned a "C" grade from the Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review.
I don't care if MLK family authorized the Ram ad (they probably did) The ad was gross and exploitative.
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) February 5, 2018
Other ads that missed the mark include Squarespace and T-Mobile, with Kellogg professor Derek D. Rucker noting what he described as their "questionable positioning and unclear calls to action."
Amazon's ad -- called "Alexa Loses Her Voice" -- earned the top score from the USA Today Ad Meter as well as an "A" grade from the Kellogg School, which bases its score on marketing goals such as whether the commercials offer a strong link to the brand's message.
I'm still laughing out loud at the @Amazon#Alexa ad. Funny all through but HILARIOUS when we got to Anthony Hopkins. ??? #BrandBowl52#SuperBowlLII
— Kirsten Jensen (@NextKirsten) February 5, 2018
Tide's series of advertisements also scored well, according to the Kellogg School. The commercial featured David Harbour, one of the stars of "Stranger Things," and a very meta-approach to advertising. The detergent, which had an ad in every quarter, posited that every ad with clean clothes could be a Tide ad. And its own ads pretended to be marketing another product -- like a car or beer -- before Harbour revealed that the spot was actually a detergent ad.
Another winner was the NFL's "Touchdown Celebrations to Come," which featured Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins and a "Dirty Dancing" homage.
Below are the Kellogg School's grades, from 'A' to 'F', for ads that ran during Super Bowl 52.
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans
Water.org/Stella Artois
Blacture
Heroes Arena
9:00am Update: Light, wet snow ending by midday


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