How come CVASC here in Canada doesn't know about this new 144 Visa-free policy?

I just returned from the CAVSC in Vancouver and they insist that I need an entry permit, but everything I have found online says that I don't need one. I'm worried, as we will be flying in to Shanghai, staying two nights, and then heading to port to catch a cruise to various ports in Japan. Upon our return to Shanghai, we will disembark at the cruise ship port and plan to take a taxi directly to the Shanghai airport to return to Canada. It seems to me that we should qualify for the new 144 hour free policy, but I can't get confirmation from anyone as nobody here has heard about this. Is it safe to fly to Shanghai and hope that the people there will be familiar with this new rule? What proof will they want to see that we are going on a cruise? Has anyone yet actually gone through this new transit between the airport and cruise ship terminal and has it been easy and simple? Did the airline have any problem with permitting you to board your flight to China without an entry permit in your passport? Thanks for any help you can give.