The effects of A-site substitution with alkaline-earth ions (Ca, Sr and Ba) on the perovskite-phase formation and dielectric properties for Pb1-xMx(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 (0.0 x 0.5)-based relaxors were studied. Considerable improvements in the sinterability and the extent fo perovskite formation were observed with increasing the A-site substitution (x) and sintering temperature. The maximum dielectric permittivity appeared at x=0.1 for Sr and Ba substitutiion, while the relative dielectric permittivity was almost invariant in the case of Ca ion substitution. Curie temperature decreased with increasing relative amount of Sr and Ba ions but was almost invariant in case of Ca ion substitution. With increasing the amount of x, the diffuseness parameter ($delta$) increased but the maximum dielectric constant decreased, demonstrating an enhanced diffuse phase transition (DPT) in the presence of alkaline-earth cations.