I ran into this question as I was working on my fanfic, and I don't think it states one way or another, so I am looking for your thoughts.

I, on the other hand, am torn between the two options.

I would like to think they're alive

Sorry, I just feel like their dead.

Either that, or away on leave.

If they were dead wouldn't he already be King Eric, not Prince? I've seen some fairy tales that don't let the princess rule util she is married, but I don't think I've seen one that wouldn't let a prince rule until he married, so would he still be just a prince if both his parents had already passed away? I think one might have died, but not both.

My initial thought on this whole question was that they were deceased, but, for your exact reason, Mermaid-Tail, I was reluctant to go that route. My other thought was that he was not yet of an age to assume the throne. That has actually happened in history. In that instance, he would theoretically rule, but proclamations would be put forth through advisors or some kind of a Regent.

I think his father is alive, mother is dead, like always

both dead

Definitely. If not, they're very absent. I always thought Grimsby pretty much raised Eric.

following the recurring theme with Disney, i think they're dead. sad, but somewhat true.

i think there dead

I'm sorry to say this but I think they're dead. I imagined that they were killed by pirates while sailing. The reason Eric didn't become King right away because he was only a preteen when they died. After they died, Grimsby and Carlotta took over as Eric's guardians and raised him.

Dead in the musical.