Hi there, we are flying into Beijing and spending 3 nights in Beijing

Yes, you just qualify the policy.

I am really confused by this 144 hours. Can you explain to me is a cruise that leaves out of Tianjin then goes to Japan and Tokyo and then returns back to Tianjin (7 days) is that only considered 48 hours since they are only boarding and disembarking in Tianjin? Every Visa company I ask say they need a visa because they are flying into Beijing 24 hours prior to the cruise and touring and then taking a private car to the cruise in Tianjin. I do not want my clients to get to China and them say you need a visa. HELP?
Thank you!

Well, I’m a little confused about your itinerary. If this is your case: arrive at (not enter) Tianjin from a country - then cruise to Tokyo - back to Tianjin (7 days) - leave for another country (not Japan), you don’t need a visa; then no visa is needed for the first time since you don’t enter the land, 144h visa free policy works for the second time to Tianjin. Hope it can help!

I am sorry I didn't give all the specifics I forgot to put it all in there. They arrive Aug 4 from Detroit into PEK staying 1 night at hotel then going to Tianjin to board a cruise for 7 nights (the cruise leaves tianjin on Aug 5 then spends a day at sea then to japan for 2 days, then tokyo foor 1 day then 2 days at sea and back to Tianjin) then they will head to the PEK on Aug 12 to go back to Detroit. I hope that helps. Is the 144 hours consecutive or just how many hours total you are in PEK and Tianjin? Thank you for all your help.

Don’t worry! As Terra said, no visa is needed in your case. But for your first time to China, since you enter the country, you need to apply for the 144h visa free transit, too!