( CNN ) -- The cruise line Holland America says it was an `` aberration '' when inspectors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found multiple sanitation violations , including brown liquid dripping on clean dishes and a fly on the buffet , on the line 's ms Veendam . Enough violations were cited that the CDC gave the Veendam a failing grade . `` While unacceptable for Holland America Line , the unsatisfactory score is highly unusual and an aberration , '' Holland America 's Sally Andrews told CNN . Inspectors do n't tell cruise lines when they 're going to show up , but they visit twice a year as part of the CDC 's vessel sanitation inspection program . The CDC grades ships on a 100-point scale . An 85 or lower is considered a failing grade . The Veendam received a grade of 77 . `` Since 1996 , Veendam has received passing scores on 32 inspections , '' Andrews said . The Veendam is a 16-year-old ship , originally christened by actress Debbie Reynolds , that carries 1,930 passengers and crew , according to Holland America . Does traveling increase your chance of illness ? According to the CDC report , during the August 19 surprise visit , inspectors found brown liquid dripping on clean dishes , refrigerators out of order , improper installation of anti-entrapment drain covers in pools posing a possible danger to swimmers , faulty dishwashers that managers allegedly failed to do anything about until inspectors arrived and water from a broken ice machine leaking onto the pool deck . The report did not specify what the brown liquid dripping on dishes was , or where it came from . `` One of the cooks doing active food preparation had a goatee and was not wearing a beard restraint , '' a CDC inspector noted . Later in the same report , `` A live large fly was near the buffet . This area was in use during the inspection , '' the CDC said . The Veedam 's failing grade is uncommon in the cruise ship industry , an industry that has tried in recent years to keep on-board environments sanitary after illnesses like the Norwalk virus sickened passengers and caused a public relations nightmare . CDC 's surprise cruise ship inspection ( video ) `` Very few ships have received a failing score over the last couple of years , '' the CDC 's Jay Dempsey said . In fact , only five ships since 2007 have failed inspection during the CDC 's bi-annual unannounced inspections . Ships are required to take corrective action after inspectors find violations . All cruise ships that dock at U.S. ports are inspected by the CDC . Reports are then posted on the CDC 's website . It 's the second time in as many months that Holland America ships have been targeted by officials . In August , a room tag from the line 's Maasdam cruise ship and sewage washed ashore in Lynn , Massachusetts , leading town officials to suggest the debris may have come from the ship . But Holland America now says its investigation suggests the debris did n't come from their ship . `` A detailed letter outlining specifics related to the individual pieces of trash that washed up was sent to local authorities in mid-August and follow up was done with the Coast Guard as well . In general , the items found are not items carried onboard the ship . As for the luggage tag that was found , that particular color/style had not been used by Holland America Line for a year , '' Andrews said . From the archives : Queen Mary 2 fails sanitation inspection .
`` Very few ships ... received a failing score over the last couple of years , '' CDC official says . Holland America 's ms Veendam , which CDC inspectors visited in August , got a 77 . An 85 or lower on the CDC 's 100-point inspection scale is considered failing . The cruise line says `` the unsatisfactory score is highly unusual and an aberration ''