Thirty two people died after the vessel hit rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Schettino had been seeking to quash his conviction during legal proceedings in Florence, while prosecution lawyers had pushed for a longer term.

The former sea captain, who was not present at the hearing yesterday (May 31), has not yet begun his sentence and will be given a final opportunity to appeal at the country’s highest court.

During the original trial authorities had criticised Schettino’s conduct during the disaster, which saw more than 4,000 passengers and crew evacuated from the vessel.

He rejected rumours that he caused the accident by trying to impress purported lover, Domnica Cemortan, who was with him at the helm. Schettino insisted he had taken the ship close to the shore for “commercial reasons" to please passengers.

Following the tragedy five other employees, including the ship’s helmsman, were given sentences ranging from 18 months to two years and 10 months.