OP, get over your feeling for TAs. You may not realize it but your amount of people gets you a group discount which a cruise line will never give you if book direct. Get a good agent, that does a lot with the cruise line you are interested in and ask them to negotiate with the BDM for a lower T/C. For example. If you can negotiate a 1 for 9 TC the 10th bed is free. A lot of time triples don't count, as they get a reduced rate, but it's something to consider. It helps if your sailing is not in a prime time when the cruise line knows they will sail full and doesn't negotiate.
You will be nickled and dimed Unless you do all inclusive which is probably out of the family budget. You will be signing for everything and each member of your group will have Gratuties added (unless your TA can negotiate prepaid Gratuties as a group concession)
I am not a travel agent and have been on over 100 cruises. Much as I love FT the level of great information you get on CruiseCritic is amazing. Go there.