Shaun,
Nanshan is where I stayed, a 25 RMB taxi ride from the ferry terminal, right next to Shekou, so it's the same. There is only one stop, and the upper deck is closed up as well, I don't know if you can get to the open air. Those are not those fancy speed ferries going between Macau and HK by the way, this is a fiberglass boat, wide enough to seat about 25 people in one row, with big screen TV in front (showed a movie in Cantonese with Chinese subtitles when I was on it)
Valium? You'll be sleepy enough after the long trip, ... get a coffee in Starbucks while you're waiting for the ferry, it's on the departure level in Hong Kong airport, follow the sign to gates 21 and more, there is an elevator right next to where you wait for the ferry, that level also has a smoking lounge (looks more like an CIA torture chamber) if you're after that. There is free wifi in HK airport if you're bringing a laptop ... should be like that everywhere around the world ...
If you want to buy something bring RMB, although they do take cards as well. There is an ATM somewhere, but you get Hong Kong dollars, not sure you want these for China :icon_cheesygrin: You can buy dutyfree while waiting for the ferry, cigarettes are cheaper than on the mainland, the rest is so so.
Frank