Train from Jinan to Shanghai

Hello!

Me and my family (we are 4persons) wish to travel by train from Jinan to Shanghai. What is the fastest way? Which train type? We wish to leave Jinan the 2 July late evening and arrive the 3rd in Shanghai. Is it hard to book tickets for a private compartment so that we can sleep all 4 in one? Which train is the most comfortable to travel in from Jinan to Shanghai? How many hours does it take from Jinan to Shanghai if we travel by night train? How many days in advance can I book my tickets?

We also wish to visit Hangzhou when we are in Shanghai. What is the fastest way to get to Hangzhou from Shanghai? Do we have to book our tickets in advance? Is it possible to go by boat from Shanghai to Hangzhou? How many hours does it take? Everyone in my family are very seasick, however since it is a canal then we guess it is very calm and not rocky to go by boat from Shanghai-Hangzhou, is this true?


By the way! Love travelchinaguide!! So good!!! Fantastic job!
Thank you so much