Certified Irish and British Advisor!

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Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC, Travel Agent in Friendswood, TX

Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC

Friendswood, TX Travel Agent
Super Agent

Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC

Friendswood, TX · 7 Years of Experience

Ports and Paths, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
4.9
(15)
100% Recommended
From our first video call to the end of our vacation Michelle was so helpful. She provided with the exact vacation we were wanting and had... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany

Interests:

Adventure, Family Vacations, Cruises, River Cruises, Universal Parks & Resort Vacations

Suppliers:

Avalon Waterways, CIE Tours, Globus, Royal Caribbean, Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations

About Me

Slane Castle, Republic of Ireland
Slane Castle, Republic of Ireland

Hello and welcome! I know you have dozens of choices when it comes to finding a travel advisor, so thank you for stopping here. In just a few moments, I want to share not only who I am, but why choosing me as your travel partner will make all the difference in how you see the world.

I’m Michele — a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and proud island girl who has always been drawn to the sea, yet finds beauty everywhere from mountain valleys to cobblestone streets in faraway lands. Travel isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am. My passion for exploring new places and cultures, tasting local foods, and uncovering hidden gems drives me to help others experience the same wonder and joy.

Why me? Because I’m not just here to book your trip — I’m here to craft experiences that feel personal, seamless, and unforgettable. I thrive on the research and planning that many travelers find overwhelming. I dive into the details so you don’t have to. From transfers and timing to excursions and hidden gems, I take care of it all so you can focus on what matters: enjoying your journey.

Whether it’s a river cruise through Europe’s storybook villages, golfing in Scotland’s legendary courses, castle-hopping through Germany, or a private driver-led journey through Ireland, I curate each trip around your passions, preferences, and pace. Your experience is never one-size-fits-all — it’s thoughtfully tailored to you.

Like many, I once thought that travel to “dream destinations” was out of reach — something reserved for TV shows or other people’s bucket lists. But my first journey abroad to Germany changed everything. That trip didn’t just spark my love of castles, culture, and history; it lit the fire that became my calling. Since then, my passion for helping others discover their own “unforgettable journey” has only grown stronger.

To better serve my clients, I’ve pursued certifications with some of the world’s leading travel partners: Shamrock Specialist and British Collection with CIE International, Diamond Level Specialist with Carnival, Master of Adventure with Royal Caribbean, Avalon Waterways Specialist, and more. These tools allow me to create journeys that go far beyond itineraries — they’re pathways to new stories, new connections, and new perspectives.

At Ports and Paths, my mission is simple: to help you travel your way. Luxury, for me, isn’t about price tags — it’s about value, personalization, and making every moment meaningful. My clients know that I bring not only knowledge and expertise, but also honesty, loyalty, and genuine care to everything I do.

So, whether you’re planning a milestone celebration with family, a multi-gen journey, or the luxury cruise you’ve been dreaming about for years, I’d love to help you make it happen. Together, we’ll design a travel experience that is immersive, stress-free, and truly unforgettable.

Your story is waiting to be written — let’s start planning it today.

Island Heart, Global Adventures!

Born and raised on an island, I’ve always been drawn to the sea — but I’m equally inspired by the culture, history, and beauty of the world’s hidden gems. As a Diamond Level Specialist with Carnival, a Master of Adventure with Royal Caribbean, and an Avalon Waterways Specialist, I curate luxury cruises and custom land journeys for couples, families, and groups. Whether it’s relaxing on Caribbean beaches, sipping wine along the Rhine, or exploring castles in Ireland, I take care of every detail so your travels are stress-free, seamless, and unforgettable.

REVIEWS

Rating: 4.9
15 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 15 reviews

Most stress free vacation
Reviewed By Jon B - Centerton,AR | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
From our first video call to the end of our vacation Michelle was so helpful. She provided with the exact vacation we were wanting and had each step planned out for us. Travel during Covid precautions is different and she had us totally prepared for Covid test and the immigration process. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a stress free vacation!!
Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC responded
"Thank you so much for your review! I believe getting to a destination is half the fun and should not be a stressful experience. I am deeply satisfied to serve in this capacity. I am so happy you had a great experience traveling and look forward to serving you again some day!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
8 of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Alaskan Adventure
Reviewed By Memedeb - San Leon, Texas | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Thank you, Michelle Prater of Ports and Pathways for setting up the most wonderful Alaskan adventure we've ever been on! Everyone - please reach out to her for all your travel needs. She will handle every need you have for wherever you want to go.
Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC responded
"Thank you Debbie! It was my pleasure to serve you and your family. I look forward to working with you again on your next adventure."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
R& R
Reviewed By Covid relief - Santa Fe | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Good
Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC responded
"It was my pleasure to assist you in a relaxing getaway to Mexico!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fantastic first cruise
Reviewed By Danielle - Houston, Texas | Traveled to Turks and Caicos Islands ~ Caribbean
Michele was wonderful to work with on our 7 day cruise. She was so considerate of what we liked and didn’t like to make sure she made recommendations and booked to our liking. She was so thorough and responsive to any questions we had (which was a lot because this was our first cruise experience. She was so professional and organized and presented a packet to us with all the information we would need. She also sent email reminders for check-in and other milestones we needed to meet. I would ABSOLUTELY use Michele again and highly recommend her to anyone planning a trip.
Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC responded
"Well thank you Danielle! I enjoyed being a part of your first cruise experience and am so glad I was able to plan and meet your cruise expectations."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
9 of 16 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Wonderful service! Would hire her again!
Reviewed By L.G. - Houston, Texas | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
Michelle analyzed my travel style, researched my destination and booked my hotel and some side trips. She made my trip a wonderful experience.
Michele Prater CTA, VTA, CCC responded
"Thank you LG! It was my pleasure to curate your adventure. "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Globus family of brands Specialist
Globus family of brands Specialist
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Globus Specialist
Shamrock Certified with CIE
British Collection Certified with CIE
Master of Adventure with Royal Caribbean
Diamond specialist with Carnival Cruise Line

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Travel Stories

My Ocean View cabin 1990!

My First Cruise

I experienced my first cruise for my honeymoon in 1990. We had an ocean view cabin. Didn't know it was a port hole! The hubs didn't know what that meant either. We were ok with it though, we were just happy to be on a ship. When we made port in Key West we eagerly waited on deck watching everything. Oh my! The other ships were 10 stories taller ...
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Dunluce Castle

Pronunciation matters!

While watching a travel show on Ireland I heard the guide say "Mac Donald", as in the Mac Donald clan had once lived in the Dunluce Castle along the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland. That was all it took for me to decide I needed to go to Ireland. So naturally I planned a fun adventure and asked friends to come with. The moment arrived months la...
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