As creatine is stored in the body, you can take it any time. While some personal trainers recommend taking it after a workout, this has no difference in uptake.
You may wish to not take it with caffeine at the same time, as they may possibly counteract each other when taken at the same time. Taking caffeine after creatine ingestion on the other hand can be very ergogenic.
You do not need to worry about cycling creatine.
You can take creatine for as long as you want as there is no downside for going off of creatine.