Confused about the 144 hour free transit

I am flying into Hong Kong from the UK, I then pick up a cruise ship and sail to Keelung Tiawan, Okinawa, and then Shanghai, we stay in port for 16 hours and then sail to the ports of Nagasaki, Kobe, Shimizu and disembark in Tokyo where we catch a return flight to the UK.
Can I use the 144 hour rule and visit Shanghai without getting a full Visa.
If so how do I get the Arrival/Departure card and who would the carrier be the airline or the cruise company, who inform the immigration dept in Shanghai.
Many thanks in advance.