do i qualify for a 72 hour transit

Toni, you cannot use the 72 hour free transit because it's only applicable to those transiting by flight.

Thanks Eva
I am cruising to Japan only. returning to Shanghai to fly out the same day. Again is the 72 hour still for me. I hate to show up at the airport and not be allowed on the flight to shanghai when they see I don't have an entry permit. I spoke to someone at the embassy and they had no clue about this 72 hours free transit. I don't know what to do?

Toni, you mean you will take the cruise to Japan and then return to Shanghai, after taking flight to Thailand on the same day? If yes, you can enjoy the 24 hour direct transit. After getting off from the ship, you should apply for a temporary stay permit at the immigration inspection and then you can go to the airport.
You can print out the relevant 24 hour policy out and show it to the embassy and the airport staff to convince them. But if it doesn’t work, you should apply for a transit G type in advance.