I had asked about this on another topic on a similar topic, but it didn't get answered at the time, and now I can't find that topic thread.

Anyway, so I have finished exploring much, if not all of the Wasteland, but haven't yet been into the Strip to advance the main plot. But before I do, I'd really like to kill Caesar. I know that you can get to the Fort by taking some sort of barge/boat from Cottonwood Cove. Unfortunately, before I found this out, Boone and I had massacred the entire garrison at the Cove.

Can I still get to the Fort? Or do I need to advance the plot by finding Benny?

Advancing the plot is what triggers the presence of the barge. Caesar sends you an invitation and a ride.

Dang you annihilated Cottonwood cove before you offed Benny? I tip my hat to you.

You can still do it. In Cottonwood Cover, at the water, there's a pier. Go out until you get to the raft. You should be able to activate it to get to the Fort.

Happy Hunting!

(You better go loaded for bear and ready for hell)

Take lots of medical supplies with you.... good luck

I also somehow managed to do this with Veronica yesterday (level 32) and had no idea about the individual that is suppose to take you to The Fort via the barge. I'm attempting to retrieve the platinum chip from Benny who seems to have holed himself up in Caesar's camp and obviously the only way there is via the barge (I'm not a fan of no-clipping).

Unfortunately the individual is nowhere to be seen near the barge or within the rest of the Legion camp. And from what I recall there was no on-screen prompt when I was near the barge to "use it".

Any idea how I can get this to work because it's killed my progression with the storyline missions

You need to get on the barge and look down. May need to crouch to bring yourself closer to activate it.

Thanks, I'll try it later this evening.

Out of curiosity, not to ruin the mission much, but if I'm vilified by The Legion and I take the barge to the Camp, I suspect I'm in for a fight? Is there anyway that I can converse with Caesar or am I pretty much looking at getting my VATS on?

I actually finally caved in, and entered the strip. I have no idea how long it took me to do it, in terms of gameplay hours, but I'm a level 30 NCR idolized, FoA and BoS member. Anyway, I'll try to get to the Fort without it, but looks like I'll advance the main plot a bit more, I guess. Thanks for the suggestions.

No way to converse with Caesar. Yes, you're in for a fight unless you're careful and are wearing a disguise. But then you still won't be able to get to Caesar without a fight.