Most Cruiseline contracts are 8-10 months. You are guaranteed at least one day off a week and you can explore the ports. Usually the ships sail the same routes so depending on the route you are assigned the port may get old, or you may have enough time to find the hidden gems and really love it. From everything I have heard, you will have to share a room with anywhere from 1 -3 other people. Generally you are not on the same schedules though so you wont all be in the room at the same time. The staff rooms are on the bottom of the ship (no windows) and are very very small, but you aren't in there often. The pay is very good, and you will certainly meet a lot of new people, especially bar tending.