As an update to my original post, I thought I should detail my experience in case anybody else might need it in the future!

Shekou Cruise Terminal
The Shekou terminal is located about 25 minutes on foot from the local metro station, so if heading there definitely take a a DiDi or private vehicle as close as you can to the front - it is a very long walk with 4x 20kgs suitcases!

Mainland Check In for Hong Kong International Airport
After entry, you proceed up to the second floor where there are airline checkin desks. I was flying Cathay Pacific which had its own segregated section with Cathay Stock boarding passes and priority labels. They give you a temporary boarding pass, departure tax refund slip and blank departure card. You then head over to the ‘customs health declaration point’.

Customs Health Declaration Point
At a separate counter (number 28) you must fill in a mini WeChat programme which is not customs but a self declaration that you have not had covid, have symptoms and agree to come back to China if you miss your flight. If you do not have a Chinese Vaccine Certificate, your health declaration will become yellow. Do not worry about your code going Yellow. It is perfectly fine so long as you have a recent covid test (T-72 hours). You will then queue, exit emigration and wait at the boat gate. There is a single duty free shop after this point and a vending machine for warm drinks - no cold drinks or water easily available (which is rare!).

Arrival into HKIA
When you arrive, you check in once again for your flight. Cathay Pacific have their own counters again, and after a quick check of the PLF and NHS app I was free to go upstairs. Once upstairs, you clear security and you claim back your departure tax ($120.00). Then ride the metro and collect a slip which says ‘Gates 1-20’. You must keep hold of this slip - I was asked for this again on level 7 and at the entrance to the Wing, First, as I believe this is your ‘token’ to mix with others.

The Wing, First
I write this whilst two hours in to a thirteen hour wait before my flight back to Heathrow. Service is fantastic, and I am indeed the only one here. I’ve already exhausted the Cabana and restaurant so will make a start on the fix shortly. London flights leave from the ‘unclean’ area - a point beyond gates 20 where there is no return once there. Therefore I’ll probably head on up a couple of hours before. I’ll update the post with details of the Amex and Plaza lounges…