Twelve years ago, my husband and I were on a cruise and met some people who were raising money for a local philharmonic orchestra through cruise donations. As the Zonta District 4 Amelia Earhart chair, I had set a goal for that biennium to increase the visibility of the Amelia Earhart Fellowship and to also increase the amount of money donated for the Fellowship by the clubs within District 4. I had a target goal of $10,000 or to raise enough money within the district to support one Amelia Earhart Fellowship. After speaking to the chairperson for the philharmonic group, I thought that it sounded like a fun way to raise money for the Fellowship and a wonderful way to network with other Zontians.

The first fundraising cruise to benefit the Amelia Earhart Fellowship occurred in 2007. The cruises have since been planned every other year or in odd numbered years. This was designed so as not to compete financially with the even numbered years when members may want to attend the Zonta International Conventions.