Shekou China

There are several unofficial statements telling in favor of 24 hour visa free transit for cruise ship passengers traveling on eligible route that follows the pattern:

A country - B country (China - Shekou) - C country (Hong Kong)

Or in your case:

X country - Shekou (China) - Hong Kong

OK, Hong Kong is not a country, but a territory, but is considered as a country for visa free transit purposes.

The mentioned 24 hour visa free transit for cruise ship passengers is at the time being unofficially allowed with direct deal done between cruise operators and Shekou immigration authorities. This is not the first such a deal that unofficially bypasses the rules, so it should not surprise at all.

You should contact relevant and responsible people from your cruise company, although this could be so hard and ask them for an assurance that you will be allowed to exit the ship based on visa free transit in Shekou port. They should be aware of a deal with Shekou immigration authorities, so do not accept just a vague and alibi like explanations.

Beside the mentioned, if visa free transit option fails, you have a backup in 5 day Shenzhen VOA at the price of 168 CNY for Australian citizens.