Hi JaneyW
I did this tour in October last year and you'll be pleased to hear that the 'Panda hugging' (ie the 'Panda Keeper Experience') in Chengdu is still available. It's not cheap - 2000 Yuan in 2014 which is roughly £200 and you have to pay cash, but I can honestly say it's the best holiday money I've ever spent - a truly thrilling experience. If you have a search around some of the other threads here, you'll find my explanation of what you get for your money.
There are limited places each day so that the cubs are not stressed, so make sure you let your local guide know that you want to book as soon as you get to Chengdu. If Suzy is your guide - she will sort it all out for you and you will have a story to dine out on for a lifetime!
Happy to help if you have any other questions about the pandas or the tour in general. I didn't do the cruise so didn't need the malaria tablets but I believe they were recommended for those that did. I just had a Hep A jab. One more tip - take plenty of throat sweets and, if asthmatic, take extra inhalers. The air quality can be pretty bad in places.
Have a wonderful trip
Mandy